National Union of Somali Journalists (Mogadishu)
17 April 2008
press release
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemns the closure of Radio Voice of Peace in Mogadishu and the subsequent arrest of four its journalists and technician.
Heavily armed police force of the Transitional Federal Government riding in a minibus raided this morning the radio station, ordered its staff to get out their offices and shutdown the privately-owned FM station, according to Mohammed Ali Irole, Director of the Radio Station and other journalists.
The four journalists arrested are Shafi’i Muhidin Islow, Editor-in-Chief of the Radio, Abdikamil Yusuf Mohamud, Reporter, Mohammed Ali Boston, Reporter, and Mohammed Kafi Ali, Reporter. Ibrahim Abdi Hassan, a technician, was also arrested with the journalists. The five media persons are being detained in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The Transitional Federal Government did not talk about the motive behind the attack but the journalists of Radio Voice of Peace who spoke to NUSOJ in condition of anonymity because of their security said that the attack may relate their coverage of last night’s Attack by Insurgents in KM4 area.
“Police brutalities against media are intolerable and Transitional government must stop violence against journalists and media houses by its soldiers” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “It is purposeful violation of because it is unjustifiable to see armed men who are supposed to enforce law and order carrying out such attack”.
“We demand the immediate release of our colleagues and the recommencement of Radio Voice Peace its service to the public” Omar Faruk added.
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