Somaliland oo xabsiga u taxaabtay afar weriye oo u shaqeeya Eryal TV

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July 30, 2019

armed police raided the Grand Hadi hotel and arrested four Eryal TV journalists: Badri Kosar, the Deputy Director; Abdirahman Abdillahi, Head of News; Aidarus Mohamed Abdi, TV reporter and Kamal Khalif Abdi, a cameraman. — Armed police raided the Grand Hadi hotel and arrested four Eryal TV journalists: Badri Kosar, the Deputy Director; Abdirahman Abdillahi, Head of News; Aidarus Mohamed Abdi, TV reporter and Kamal Khalif Abdi, a cameraman.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 30 Luulyo, 2019 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) ayaa cambaareeyay talaabadii booliska Somaliland ay xabsiga ugu taxaabeen afar weriye oo u shaqeynayay Eryal TV.

Abaaro 10:30am subaxnimo ayaa ciidan boolis oo hubeysan waxay ka qabteen hotelka Grand Hadi weriyayaasha kala ah: Badri Koosar, agaasime ku xigeenka TV-ga; Cabdiraxmaan Cabdillahi, Madaxa wararka; Caydaruus Maxamed Cabdi, wariye TV-ga and Kamal Khaliif Cabdi oo ah sawirqaade.

Weriyayaasha ayaa halkaa ku qabanayay wareysiyo laga qaadayay dad ka cabanayay olole cusub oo shaqo abuur ah oo dowladda Somaliland bilowday, iyagoo ku eedeeyay musuqmaasuq sida weriyayaal saaxiibo la ahaa ay Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) u sheegeen.

Wax eedeyn ah oo lagu soo oogay ma jirto illaa iyo hadda.

Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu cambaareynayaa tallaabada aan waafaqsaneyn sharciga ee lagu xiray afarta weriye, isla markaana ugu baaqay maamulka Somaliland in ay si shuruud la’aan ah ku sii daayaan, una ogolaadaan warfidiyeenka inay si xor ah ugu shaqeystaan mihnadooda saxaafadeed.

“Tacadiyada ka dhanka ka ah saxaafada waxa ay marayaan heer aad khatar u ah, iyadoo si joogto ay booliska Somaliland u ugaarsadaan suxufiiyiinta,” Cabdalle Axmed Muumin, xoghayaha guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) ayaa yiri, iyadoo ururka SJS ka dalbadatay xukuumada Somaliland in ay warfidiyeenada xiran si shuruud la’aan ah ku sii daayaan.

Xarigyada aan loo meel dayin, hanjabaadda iyo xadgudubyada ka dhanka saxaafadda ma ahan kuwo la aqbali karo, waana in la joojiyaa,” Xoghaye Mumin ayaa intaa ku daray.

Xorriyadda Saxaafadda Somaliland ayaa mareysa heerkeedii ugu liitay iyadoo 28 suxufi lagu xiray goboladda Somaliland sannadkii 2018 oo keli ah.

Ciidamada amaanka Somaliland ayaa 18 Juun weerar ay ku qaadeen xarumaha Telefishinada Eryal iyo Horyaal TV 24, kaga joojiyay shaqadii. Labada Telefishin waxaa loo ogolaaday inay dib u howlgalaan 30 Juun, 2019.

Somaliland Police arrest four TV Journalists in Hargeisa

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July 30, 2019

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MOGADISHU, Somalia, 30 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns in the strongest terms possible the unlawful arrest of four journalists of the privately-owned Eryal TV by Somaliland police in Hargeisa on Tuesday 30 July, 2019.

Around 10:30am, armed police raided the Grand Hadi hotel and arrested four Eryal TV journalists: Badri Kosar, the Deputy Director; Abdirahman Abdillahi, Head of News; Aidarus Mohamed Abdi, TV reporter and Kamal Khalif Abdi, a cameraman. The TV journalists were conducting an interview with individuals who complained against a new government-initiated employment campaign. The individuals interviewed blamed the job creation program was mismanaged by government officials, two colleagues told Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

“We went to Ibrahim Kodbur police station where the four journalists are currently held. The police told us that our colleagues were arrested on the orders of the top government officials,” journalist Ahmed Khalid of Eryal TV told Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

There were no charges against the four so far.

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the latest wave of arrests against the Eryal TV journalists and calls for the Somaliland authorities to respect the freedom of the press and allow the journalists to freely exercise the profession.

“The violations against the press are at an alarming rate where journalists are continuously hunted by the police in Somaliland, in a bid to curtail their freedoms,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “We condemn these blatant violations and call on the Somaliland authorities to unconditionally free the journalists”

“Arbitrary arrests, threats and violence against the press are unacceptable and should be stopped,” Mr. Mumin added.

The freedoms of press and that of the freedom of expression are growingly declining in Somaliland as authorities arrested 28 journalists in 2018, an indication of a worrying trend of restricting journalists’ rights to freedom of the press.

Somaliland’s security forces on 18 June raided the headquarters of Horyaal 24 TV and Eryal TV and forced both TV stations to stop operating. The two outlets were allowed to resume operations in 30 June.

Maxkamadda Gobolka Nugaal oo xabsiga ka siideysay weriye Maxamed Siciid Yusuf

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July 29, 2019

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Journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf freed from jail in Garowe on Monday 29 July, 2019. | Photo credit/Mohamed S. Yusuf.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 29 Luulyo, 2019 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) ayaa soo dhoweeyay go’aanka Maxkamada Gobolka Nugaal ay xabsiga kaga siideysay weriye Maxamed Siciid Yuusuf oo ciidamada Booliska ee Garowe ay xireen 13 Luulyo, 2019.

Xarigga weriyaha ayaa ka dambeeyay wareysi uu ka qaaday oday dhaqameed dhaliil u soo jeediyay Dowladda Puntland. Oday dhaqameedka, oo isaguna lala xiray weriyaha, ayaa la siidaayey Sabtidii 27 Luulyo, 2019.

Maalinimadii Isniinta ayaa Maxkamadda Gobolka Nugaal ay siideysay weriye Maxamed Siciid Yuusuf, iyadoo maxkamaddu baabi’isay dhammaan eedeymihii loo heystay weriyaha, isagoo xorriyadiisa dib u helay.

“Alle ayaa ku mahadsan oo xorriyadeydi dib iigu soo celiyay” Weriye Maxamed Siciid Yuusuf ayaa sidaa u sheegay Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed waxyar uun kadib markii uu xorriyadiisa dib u helay, isagoo u mahadceliyay dhamaan intii gacanta ka geysatay sii deyntiisii.

Hay’adda dhinaca sharciyada ka difaacda suxufiyiinta ee Media Legal Defense Initiative – MLDI ayaa ka taageertay Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) dhinaca kharashka difaaca weriyaha.

Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed ayaa soo dhoweeyay go’aanka Maxkamadda Gobolka Nugaal ay xorriyaddiisa dib ugu soo celisay weriye Maxamed Siciid Yusuf.

“Waanu ku faraxsanahay in saaxiibkeen Maxamed Siciid Yuusuf uu xoriyaddiisii dib u helay,” Cabdalle Axmed Muumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) ayaa yiri isagoo u mahadceliyay qareenkii weriyaha oo dadaal dheeri muujiyay iyo taageerada dhinaca sharciga ee ay hay’adda MLDI u fudisay ururka.

Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed waxa uu ku boorinayaa Puntland inay xurmeeyaan, una ogolaadaan suxufiyiinta inay shaqadooda wargelinta dadweynahau gutaan si xor ah, isla markaasna waafaqsan dastuurka Puntland, Xeerka Saxaafadda Puntland iyo Dastuurka Federalka ee Soomaaliyeed, kuwaasoo dhammaantood dammaanad qaadaya xorriyadda saxaafadda iyo midda hadalka.

Nugal Regional Court frees freelance journalist from Jail in Garowe

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July 29, 2019

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MOGADISHU, Somalia, 29 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the release of freelance journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf from Garowe Central Prison on Monday 29 July, 2019.

The journalist was arrested on 13 July, 2019 in Garowe over an interview with a local elder who criticized the Puntland State Government. The local elder, who was also arrested, was freed on Saturday 27 July, 2019.

In a brief court session on Monday at the Nugal Regional Court in Garowe, judges quashed all charges against journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf and ordered his release.

Around 01:20pm local time the journalist was released from the jail.

“I thank God that I am free now,” journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf told Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) after he was freed from the jail,” I also thank my lawyer for defending me during the court hearing and thanks to the tireless advocacy and support of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).”

Media Legal Defense Initiative (MLDI) covered the legal fees of the defending lawyer, without which the case would not have been successful.

According to the defending lawyer, Mustafe Mohamed Jama, the prosecutors sought charges of propagating propaganda against the State and the Nation, insulting the State among other charges which the judges at the court did not take as legally binding since the journalist acted based on his constitutionally granted freedoms including Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Expression.

“The judges were clear to declare that all charges brought against journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf were not valid and therefore the court quashed all of them. The court also freed the journalist,” defending lawyer Mustafe Mohamed Jama told Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is grateful to the judges at Nugal Regional Court for understanding and dropping the unjustified charges and freeing our colleague from the jail.

“We are delighted to hear that our colleagues Mohamed Said Yusuf from the jail,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “We are also thankful to the lawyer for working hard to defend the journalist and the MLDI for their generous support.”

Somali Journalists Syndicate urges the Puntland authorities to respect the press freedom and allow journalists to carry out their duties of informing the public without fear of persecution as enshrined in the Puntland Constitution, the Puntland Media Law and the Federal Constitution, which all guarantee the Freedom of the Press and the Freedom of the Expression.

Somali Police briefly detain two radio journalists in Mogadishu

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July 23, 2019

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Journalist Abdullahi Osman Adani (pictured) who was briefly arrested today on Tuesday 23 July, 2019 alongside other journalist before they were released. | Photo courtesy/Facebook.

ALERT

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 23 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the arbitrary and brief arrest of Abdullahi Osman Adani and Hassan Wali Abukar by officers from Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Mogadishu on Tuesday 23 July, 2019. Both journalists were working for Shabelle Media Network respectively.

Officers from Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested journalist Abdullahi Osman Adani, who also freelances for other online media, from the headquarters of Radio Shabelle in Mogadishu around 12pm local time. Adani was accused to have contributed to an online article which alleged corruption within the police, especially the CID detention cells.

An hour after the arrest of journalist Abdullahi Osman Adani, journalist Hassan Wali Abukar was briefly detained after he visited the CID to see his colleague journalist Adani.

Both journalists were later freed without charges.

“I was released shortly after I was arrested at the CID headquarters but my colleague Abdullahi Osman Adani remained in the detention for six hours. He is now also released,” journalist Hassan Wali Abukar told Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is relieved to learn that both journalists were released as the union condemns the arbitrary arrests by the Somali police aimed to curtail the media independence and the journalists’ aptitude to report freely.

”We are relieved to learn that our colleagues were finally freed after several hours of illegal detention and condemn the violations against their rights including the arbitrary arrest.”Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “We call for the Somali police to uphold the press freedom and stop all sorts of intimidation and harassment against the journalists specially those who dare to report police misbehavior.”

“Journalists should be praised for braving to report and expose matters that are of public interest and should not be intimidated with arrests,” Mr. Mumin added.

In the past months, members of the Somali security forces employed aggressive measures including arrests, intimidations and physical assaults against independent journalists.

Somali Journalists Syndicate calls for Puntland authorities to respect press freedom and set free detained journalist

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July 23, 2019

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Freelance journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf detained in Garowe on Saturday 13 July, 2019. | Photo courtesy/Omar Said Mohamed.

PRESS STATEMENT

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 23 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for the Puntland authorities to respect the press freedom and detained freelance journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf be freed from the jail in Garowe.

The journalist was arrested on 13 July, 2019 after he received a call from Nugal Police Commissioner; Colonel Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir who asked journalist Yusuf to appear at the police station in person, for questioning about an interview the journalist conducted a day earlier with a local elder which was deemed critical to the Puntland government.

The journalist was transferred to the Garowe Central Prison the next day on 15 July, 2019.

The police also arrested Abdullahi Mohamed Jibril, whom the journalist interviewed, according to a document received by the Somali Journalists Syndicate which dated on 14 July, 2019. In the interview, elder Jibril criticized Puntland authorities over their move to block Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire’s visit to Galkayo North early this month.

According to a document issued by a judge at the Nugaal Regional Court’s First Degree, the police was granted 15 days to remand the journalist and the elder in custody ‘to complete investigations’.

In the same court letter, the police mentioned that they would charge both detainees on four articles of the Somali Penal Code among them criticizing the people and the nation publicly.

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is particularly concerned about reports indicating attempts by the police to press unfounded charges, in apparent attempt to intimidate the journalists and the media and silence them through legal means.

Somali Journalists syndicate condemns the acts of intimidation, harassment and continued detention against the journalist and calls for his unconditional release.

”It has come to our attention that Puntland authorities are employing new tactics to criminalize the media profession and silence its critics through unfounded charges,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said,”Freedom of the press and the freedom of expression are core factors to developing a democratic and healthy society and the Puntland authorities should respect these constitutionally granted freedoms and set free the journalist for good.”

Somali Journalists train 2-week course on Documentary Video Storytelling in Mogadishu

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July 18, 2019

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Journalists pose for a photo family after attending the first day of a two-week course of Documentary Storytelling in Mogadishu supported by Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Digital Media Academy, Thursday 18 July, 2019.

PRESS STATEMENT

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 18 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) in partnership with Somali Digital Media Academy (SODMA) on Thursday 18 July, 2019, opened a two-week course on Documentary Video Storytelling for 26 journalists in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The course, which will train 20 male and six female journalists from all sectors of the media from 18 – 30 July, 2019, aims to improve the quality of journalism through documentary video storytelling as it provides relevant skills and upgrade the professional capacity of the journalists in the digital age.

The training, which is supported by Somali Journalists Syndicate and Somali Digital Media Academy (SODMA), becomes the first in its kind in the country and has been initiated based on the growing needs of local journalists to adopt in the use of video storytelling techniques to report upon news and social events.

At the opening of the workshop, Guled Salad Qarey, a camera journalist with Universal TV appreciated Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) for supporting the training.

“I am a camera journalist and I always thought to get training like this. Today I got the chance to attend and thanks to Somali Journalists Syndicate and its Secretary General, Mr Abdalle Mumin for his commitment to fellow journalists,” Guled Salad Qarey said “I urge Somali Journalists Syndicate to continue helping journalists and reach every corner where there is a need for a journalist training.”

Amal Yusuf Moalim, a female TV reporter and presenter who works at Dalsan TV emphasized the important role of female journalists in the visualized storytelling if they have the capacity and the training.

“We as women in the journalism welcome this training. We are very grateful to Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) for making this training possible. We are also glad that the training is held in Mogadishu where we can work and at the same time learn,” Amaal Yusuf Moalim said. “As an advocate for women journalists, I call the female journalists who are here today to concentrate more on the topics so that you can benefit much from the trainers.”

Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) gives opening remarks during the kick-off of a two-week training course on Documentary Video Storytelling in Mogadishu, Somalia, Thursday 18 July, 2019.

Senior media trainer Abdulkadir Zubeir Haji Hassan who will be one of the trainers has narrated how journalists must adopt the new technology including emerging and old ones in their day-to-day activities.

“Journalists like you have an important role to reveal news events in the country but at times, you need to adopt the new emerging technology including software and equipment to produce a quality content for your audience,” trainer Abdulkadir Zubeir said “During the two weeks of this training, my colleagues and I shall instruct you with the latest technologies and techniques.”

The trainer also mentioned that at the end of the training each five-member group of journalists who participated in the training will be able to produce a five-minute short documentary film which will be showcased in an event in Mogadishu in early August.

In his opening remarks, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expressed his gratitude to the trainers and the Somali Digital Media Academy for hosting the trainees and the trainers.

“Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) came to serve for the professional journalists like you and that is why we are providing this unique training today in Mogadishu,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, , the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “This will not be the last training. We are planning to extend our reach to other journalists and storytellers who are in dire need for such trainings.”

”A good journalism is the one which has adequate training and when we train journalists so the media will be more professional.”Mr. Mumin added.

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Somali Journalists in Kismayo gather to pay tribute to the fallen colleagues

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July 17, 2019

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PRESS STATEMENT

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 17 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses solidarity and stands firmly with fellow journalists in Kismayo who on Tuesday 16 July, 2019 held prayer meeting for the late two TV journalists: Mohamed Omar Sahal and Hodan Naleyeh, who were killed in Kismayo Hotel attack on Friday 12 July, 2019.

Dozens of journalists gathered in Maamuus hotel in Kismayo as they wore red headscarves around their heads to mourn for the two fallen journalists.

In their speeches, journalists and media representatives paid tribute to the late Sahal and Naleyeh as they described the two colleagues’ talents as professional journalists.

“We mourn for our brother Mohamed Omar Sahal and sister Hodan Naleyeh. Both were talented and committed journalists. They both served to the people of Somalia till to their last day,” Mohamed Qasim, a TV journalist in Kismayo said.

Journalists in Kismayo who on Tuesday 16 July, 2019 held prayer meeting for the late two TV journalists Mohamed Omar Sahal and Hodan Naleyeh, who were killed in Kismayo Hotel attack on Friday 13 July, 2019. Photo credit/A. Hussein. — Journalists in Kismayo who on Tuesday 16 July, 2019 held prayer meeting for the late two TV journalists Mohamed Omar Sahal and Hodan Naleyeh, who were killed in Kismayo Hotel attack on Friday 13 July, 2019. Photo credit /A. Hussein.

Journalists who personally worked with late Sahal and Hodan have also reflected their biography as a kind and calm journalists who loved to show case the untold stories of Somalia.

Abdishukri Haybe Kilaas, director of Waamo Community Radio said Somali journalists in general have suffered a lot and continue to risk their lives in their daily activities.

“We are crying today as we have lost two important colleagues. We are also worried about the lack of commitment to protect journalists in Somalia,” Abdishukri Haybe Kilaas said.

Somali Journalists Syndicate expresses full solidarity to the journalists’ gathering aimed to pray for the slain journalists and stand firmly in this difficult time as the gathering signals the significance of unity among the journalists in Kismayo.

“We are deeply troubled by the loss of Mohamed Omar Sahal and Hodan Naleyeh and we stand firmly in solidarity with the journalists and the family members in this difficult time,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, ”The prayer meeting in Kismayo is a good sign of unity and the strength among our colleagues during difficult times.”

”Our heartfelt condolences go to the family and friends of late fallen journalists. May their souls rest in peace,” Mr. Mumin added.

Born in 1983, late Mohamed Omar Sahal worked as a freelance journalist with Voice of Peace Radio in Mogadishu in 2011, before returning back to Kismayo in 2013 where he joined Radio Kismayo as a reporter. Until his death late Sahal was the Kismayo-based correspondent for SBC TV.

Hodan Naleyeh was born in 1976. After leaving the country at the age of six, she has recently returned from Canada to Somalia to help showcase Somalia’s peaceful transformation through her TV shows. She was the founder of Integration TV where she started on March 1, 2019 to host half-hour Somali community show “Building a New Cultural Identity”.

The death of Hodan, and Sahal, becomes the first journalists killed in the country this year.

Late Sahal left four children and a wife while Hodan left behind two sons. Hodan’s husband Farid Jama was also killed in the hotel attack on Friday.

May God grant both of them an eternal rest in the Paradise

Puntland police arrest freelance journalist over critical interview in Garowe

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July 14, 2019

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ALERT

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 14 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the arbitrary arrest of freelance journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf by Puntland police in Garowe on Saturday evening 13 July, 2019 over critical interview and calls for Puntland authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the journalist, the latest in a string of violence against the press in Somalia.

On Saturday afternoon, journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf received a call from Nugal Police Commissioner; Colonel Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir who asked journalist Yusuf to appear at the police station in person for questioning about an interview the journalist conducted a day earlier with a local elder which was deemed critical to the Puntland government.

The journalist was arrested upon arrival at Garowe Central Police Station on Saturday 13 July, 2019 at 06:15pm local time without charges and remains in detention.

On Sunday morning July 14, the Vice President of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Omar Said Mohamed visited the police station where he was allowed to see and chat with journalist Yusuf for 20 minutes behind a barred door.

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) contacted Nugal Police Commissioner, Colonel Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir and he said “we, as the police were ordered to arrest the journalist by the Puntland government and we will keep him in detention.”

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the arbitrary arrest of journalist Yusuf and calls for Puntland authorities to uphold freedom of the press as enshrined in the regional Constitution and the Federal Provisional Constitution and allow journalists to freely exercise their journalistic duties without fear or reprisal.

“We condemn the arbitrary arrest of freelance journalist Mohamed Said Yusuf and demand his unconditional release,” Omar Said Mohamed, Vice President of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), said “It is against all the country’s laws including the Constitution of Puntland Sate of Somalia, the Federal Constitution and the Media Law of Puntland to arrest a journalist for only doing his journalistic work.”

Jubbaland security forces physically assault four Journalists at colleagues’ funeral in Kismayo, Somalia

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July 13, 2019

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COMBINED PHOTO: Journalist Ahmed Isak Abdulle, a freelance correspondent for STN TV, was slightly injured on the left hand’s small finger and his camera smashed during the assault.

ALERT

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 13 July, 2019 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns in the strongest terms possible the physical attack by members of Jubbaland security forces against four journalists in Kismayo on Saturday 13 July, 2019.

Approximately at 11.30am, members of the Jubbaland security forces physically assaulted four journalists who were at the funeral of colleague journalists: Mohamed Omar Sahal and Hodan Naleyeh who were killed in Kismayo hotel attack on Friday.

The burial, which took place at Baar Caleen graveyards started with a short prayer before journalists started filming the funeral proceedings when members of the security forces instructed to stop filming, followed by beating the journalists with sticks, punches and kicks and as a result injured four of them.

Mohamud Warsame Shiike, correspondent for Som News TV, sustained bone crack at the upper right arm; Ahmed Isak Abdulle, a freelance correspondent for STN TV, was slightly injured on the left hand’s small finger, while Mohamed Qasim Wahar, Somali Cable TV correspondent and Abdiweli Beddel, a cameraman for STN TV both sustained minor bruises on the back and the right hand respectively.

Journalist Mohamud Warsame Shiike said that he was taken to the hospital and later went home after he received medical attention.

“I was hit with a heavy wooden baton and almost became unconscious. I am now out of the hospital,” Mohamud Warsame Shiike told Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Meanwhile Ahmed Isak Abdulle’s camera was completely damaged after the attackers grabbed and destroyed it, according to Abdulle and photos seen by Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

“When they attacked us, they also grabbed my camera and smashed it,” Ahmed Isak Abdulle, a freelance correspondent for STN TV, told Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) over the phone.

Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns this cruel physical attack on journalists who were carrying their normal duties and calls for the Jubbaland authorities to immediately investigate the matter and bring those responsible to book.

“Journalists should not be attacked for only doing what they are supposed to do especially in this grieving time as we are mourning for the loss of two prominent colleagues- Hodan and Sahal killed in Kismayo,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We call Jubbaland authorities to investigate this attack and arrest the perpetrators.”

“Such continued attacks against the Journalists and media professionals only highlight the risks the Somali journalists face amidst in working in a hi daily duties to inform the public.” Mr. Mumin added.

On Friday evening, SBC TV correspondent, Mohamed Omar Sahal and Hodan Naleyeh, a female TV journalist and founder of Integration TV were among 26 killed after gunmen with explosives raided Madina Hotel in Kismayo.

Somali Journalists Syndicate mourns with fellow journalists in Kismayo as they attend the funeral of the two journalists who were laid to rest in Kismayo on Saturday.

Late Sahal, 35, was a courageous reporter who devoted his journalism to be the voice of the voiceless communities including internally displaced people. He returned to Kismayo in 2012 soon after the city was retaken from al-Shabaab and he never left his hometown since then. He left behind four children and a wife.

Hodan Naleyeh, 43, returned back home From Canada and begin her heroic TV program to show the world the other side of Somalia. Naleyeh’s husband was also killed. She left behind two sons.

“Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) mourns with colleagues and our member journalists in Kismayo who early this morning attended the burial of Mohamed Omar Sahal and Hodan Naleyeh. We convey our heartfelt sympathies to the both families,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We also hope a quick recovery for the four colleagues who were physically assaulted today.”

Somaliland oo xabsiga u taxaabtay afar weriye oo u shaqeeya Eryal TV

Somaliland Police arrest four TV Journalists in Hargeisa

Maxkamadda Gobolka Nugaal oo xabsiga ka siideysay weriye Maxamed Siciid Yusuf

Nugal Regional Court frees freelance journalist from Jail in Garowe

Somali Police briefly detain two radio journalists in Mogadishu

Somali Journalists Syndicate calls for Puntland authorities to respect press freedom and set free detained journalist

Somali Journalists train 2-week course on Documentary Video Storytelling in Mogadishu

Somali Journalists in Kismayo gather to pay tribute to the fallen colleagues

Puntland police arrest freelance journalist over critical interview in Garowe

Jubbaland security forces physically assault four Journalists at colleagues’ funeral in Kismayo, Somalia

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