LAS ANOD, Somalia, Sep 25 2007 - Police in the semiautonomous Somali region of Puntland detained two journalists Monday but released one of the two journalists later today.

The two journalists were detained in the provincial town of Las Anod, capital of Sool region which is disputed between Puntland and the breakaway republic of Somaliland to the west.

Faisal Khalil Barre, director of Radio Las Anod, was released later today after being detained for several hours by local police.

Another journalist, freelance reporter Mohamud Mohamed "Gahnuug," remains in jail. Local police authorities said Gahnuug had published writings and pictures of Puntland troops near the frontlines with Somaliland forces.

Somaliland and Puntland soldiers have exchanged artillery duels over the past week in an area roughly 20km northwest of Las Anod.

The two Somali sub-states have militarily competed for control of disputed Sool and Sanaag regions since 2002 when Puntland troops took over Las Anod.

Local rights organizations called on the Puntland government to immediately release reporter Gahnuug.

Observers say media freedom is under attack in Somalia where one of the country's largest radio stations, Radio Shabelle, remained shut off for the past eight days.

Source: Garowe Online

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