DHUSAMAREEB (Halbeeg News) – Somali Journalist in Galmudug state has been freed a day after a court in the state sentenced him to six months in jail for what it termed “False news”
Sheikh Hassan Geerte, Chief of the first level court in Galmudug on Sunday sentenced Mohamed Abdiwali Tohow to six months in jail despite reports that there was no defense lawyer and an independent witness at the time of the court’s verdict.
According to reports, Mr. Tohow who was detained on September 22nd was released late Sunday following pressure from Somali journalists trade union NUSOJ, local journalists and elders.
The arrest and the sentence of the journalist followed a report broadcasted on 23rd September for the Mogadishu-based Radio Kulmiye alleging that the militant group Al-Shabaab was regrouping in parts of the State.
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and Galmudug Ministry for justice have condemned the sentence saying the proceeding of the trials has not been fair.
Mohamed contributes to several stations, including the London-based broadcaster Universal TV.
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