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Hargeysa,
Somaliland, August 22, 2009 — Reporters Without Borders calls for the
immediate release of two journalists employed by Radio Horyaal, an
independent station based in Hargeysa, the capital of Somaliland. They
are Fowsi Suleyman Awbindi, held since 30 July, and Yasin Jama Ali, a
website editor and Radio Horyaal stringer, who has been held since 13
August.
The press freedom organization is also worried about the condition of
freelance journalist Ali Adan Dahir, who was attacked and badly beaten
in Somaliland on 17 August.
“Within three days of the release of Radio Horyaal journalists Ahmed
Saleyman Dhuhul and Sayid Osman Mire, two other journalists working for
the same station were in detention,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We
urge the Somaliland authorities to put a stop to this harassment by
freeing them and by recognizing the legality of independent radio
stations.”
The press freedom organization added: “Meanwhile, the release of Ali
Adan Dahir’s four assailants is a real bonus for impunity.”
Yasin Jama Ali was arrested on 13 August in the port city of Berbera,
125 km northeast of Hargeysa, because of comments about Somaliland’s
coming elections that readers posted on Berberanews.com, the website he
edits. The Berbera authorities accused him of spreading “scandals
against the nation.”
Awbindi was arrested in Buro, 155 km east of Hargeysa, on 30 July for
sending a “false report” to Radio Horyaal. He is still being held in the
Buro police station.
The governor of Erigavo, 250 km east of Hargeysa, yesterday ordered the
release of the four armed men who had given Dahir a severe beating the
day before for unknown reasons.
The Somaliland authorities adopted a law in June 2002 that outlaws
independent radio stations. The region, which unilaterally declared
independence in 1991, is preparing to hold a presidential election on 27
September.
SOURCE: Reporters without Borders (RSF)/African Press Organization
(APO), August 20, 2009
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