 NAIROBI/(NUSOJ)The National Union of Somali Journalists is appalled to learn of arrest and treatment meted out by Somaliland police to journalist Abdiqani Ismail Goh of Radio Las Anod.
The journalist was arrested on Wednesday, 17 September, after head of Somali Red Crescent (SRC) in Las Anod Mr Dakir Ali Nur submitted to police a complaint against Abdiqani Ismail Goh, regarding news report on SRC’s food distribution that the journalist published on the internet. In the news report the journalist cited residents protesting how the food was distributed.
The arrest of the journalist was ordered by head of Somaliland police division in Las Anod, Mr Abdi Muse. When NUSOJ contacted the journalist in his small room in police station, the journalist said the SRC head in Las Anod was behind as the police officer told Abdiqani. As well, Mr Dakir Ali Nur visited the police station at the arrest and reportedly threatened to the journalist face-to-face.
The head of the police, who presented to Abdiqani copy of this news report the journalist published, also accused the journalist of not having official recognition letter or identification from Somaliland Ministry of information to work as a journalist in Las Anod.
“We unequivocally condemn this reprehensible detention of our colleague Abdiqani Ismail Goh and we demand his immediate and unconditional release” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
“In light of the full involvement of the Red Crescent, which is against fundamental human rights of human being, particularly the right to freedom of expression, we ask all forces for human rights and freedom of expression to impress upon the Somali Red Crescent in Las Anod and the Somaliland Police that this arrest is intolerable and shameful one that urgent action needs to be taken against this unlawful imprisonment” Omar added
In May this year, journalist Abdiqani Ismail Goh was summoned at Las Anod police station for questioning after he was accused of disseminating information against Somaliland government and the administration in Las Anod. Since then, his movements were being followed by the police, according to him and fellow journalists in Las Anod.
Recently Somaliland police in Las Anod also arrested two Radio Las Anod journalists, namely Abdiasis Ahmed Suleyman and Mohamed Ali Elmi, for being against policy of Somaliland administration in Las Anod
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