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NUSOJ
Protests the Unjust Order Against Television Reporter by Boorama
court in Somaliland
Mogadishu,
10 January, 2012
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) protests the
unjust court order against Royal Television reporter by Boorama
court, followed by string of arrests of journalists in different
towns in the regions controlled by Somaliland last week, worsening
the already deteriorating press freedom in Somaliland.
The Court ordered Yuusuf
Ali better "Indho-Qurux", who is the correspondent
of the Royal Television in the town Boorama to stay in jail
for 45 days on Tuesday 10 January, 2012 around 11:30 am local
time. The court said that he will re-appear in court after 45
days, according to Mohamed Abdi Boosh of Royal Television reached
by phone from Hargeysa, adding that there were no evidences
or witnesses presented to the court.
According to Boosh, there has been negotiations for his release
and were planning to travel to Boorama, before they heard the
surprise and unjust sentence.
"We were planning to travel to Boorama today, but postponed
when we heard the unjust sentence handed down to our colleague."
Mohamed Abdi Boosh who works for the Royal Television told NUSOJ
by phone from Hargeysa, "There were no evidences displayed
at the court and it was a matter of minutes when the court released
their sentence."
The police had requested 45 days the journalist to remain in
jail untill the investigations against his complete are completed,
which contravenes the Somaliland constitution which allows three
weeks and the Somaliland media law and was immediately transfered
to Boorama Central Jail, according to journalists.
Ali was arrested on Sunday January 8, 2012 and It is not yet
clear the reasons behind his arrest. However, journalists believe
Ali's arrest is related to an article he wrote about alleged
corruption on regional projects in Awdal region last week.
"We protest the unjust court order handed down to our
colleague and call for the Somaliland authorities to reverse
their decision and give the journalist's freedom back."
Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, "This contravenes
the Somaliland Justice system and call for the Somaliland authorities
to respect the freedom of expression and the press and regulations
set for it."
This follows string of other attacks against journalists this
week in Somaliland.
On January 9. 2011.
Abdiqani Hassan Farah Gadari, a universal TV reporter in
Laas-Aanod was detained on by the Somaliland Police. Gadari
informed NUSOJ before he was arrested that his arrest was ordered
by the Somaliland minister of information through the Mayor
of the Las-Anod town.
It is not yet clear the motive behind his arrest and remains
in custody.
On January 4, 2012, Somaliland police arrested Abdirahman Ali
Duale, Horn Cable reporter, Abdiaqani Hassan Farah Gadari and
Barkhad Joon, Somaliland National TV and they were released
after 8 hours in detention in the Las-Anod central police station.
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