MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali media advocates have condemned the arrest of a journalist by Jubbaland authorities in Southern Somalia.
Mohamed Sahal Omar (Ga’ma Dhere) who works for privately-owned SBC TV was on Friday detained after security forces raided him.
Sahal was reportedly arrested while at Kismayo General Hospital to have an interview with family members of an 8-years-old girl; the whose mutilated body was found dumped outside the town.
In a statement, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) criticized the unwarranted arrest of the reporter saying the move was “meant to obstruct his constitutionally granted freedoms.”
Another media Watchdogs, National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has condemned the arbitrary arrest of the journalist who has been operating in the port city in recent years.
“We condemn Jubaland security forces who arbitrarily arrested in Kismayo today a Journalist, Mohamed Sahal Gacmadhere who works for SBC TV. Arresting a journalist without due process is a total violation against Freedom of Press,” the General Secretary of Nusoj, Mohamed Moalimu.
Sahal, who was later released, told the media that his tools were forcefully confiscated.
“They took me to the police station and confiscated my camera and laptop. They ordered me to hand over the password of my laptop, which I gave them. They checked the video interviews I did earlier,” Sahal said.
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