Mogadishu, February 12th, 2014
The National Union of Somali Journalists [NUSOJ] protests the arrest of two radio directors and a radio Technician in the overnight of 11th February 2014 by the National Security Agency NSA, the latest in a string of attacks against the media in Somalia.
Members from the National Security Agency NSA detained Mohamed Barre Haji, the owner and the director of Danan Radio and Ibrahim Mohamed (Ibrahim Yare), the director of Haatuf Radio and Eng. Abdikarim Fiidow, who is expert at Radio Antenna installations.in Mogadishu on Tuesday night at Sayidka Road junction while driving on Tuesday evening in a single car, a technical vehicle backed with NSA members that chased them blocked their car where they were handcuffed and blindfolded before they were taken to the NSA custody, where they were beaten and interrogated. Both radios are independent and privately owned based in Mogadishu.
The reason behind this arrest is related to photographs taken by the director of Danan Radio from a car carrying the deputy chairman of Lower Shabelle region which a bomb attached to his car detonated at Maka Mukarama road. The photos were posted on Danan Radio website
Somali government and the officials of the NSA did not comment publicly on this arrest.
Mohamed Barre Fiyoore, owner and Director of Danan radio suffers bruises on the face and hands which resulted from severe beating inside the NSA prison known as “Godka Jilacow”
“They were missing since last night. It came to our knowledge today and we do not know why they were arrested” Journalists from Danan Radio who spoke on condition of anonymity told NUSOJ today.
National Union of Somali Journalists [NUSOJ] protests the arbitrary arrest against these radio directors and condemns all sorts of violations against the press, while it calls their unconditional release.
“It is unfortunate to learn the arrest of our colleagues and call for their prompt release,” Mohamed Ibrahim NUSOJ Secretary General said, “It is unacceptable to detain the journalists illegally and without court orders”.
The arrest of the media directors comes ahead of World Radio Day celebrations expected
The three were freed on Thursday noon 13 February, 2014.
In a separate incident, NUSOJ recalls the Somaliland authorities to lift the ban against Universal TV and allow this independent television to resume its operations in respect to the freedom of expression and media freedoms.
