IFJ
Condemns
Jailing of Editor in Somaliland

The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) has today condemned the five month jail term
handed to Mohamed Abdi Guled, editor of the private weekly magazine
Yool, by a Hargeisa court for "spreading lies" and publishing a
newspaper which is not legally registered.
"Journalists in Somaliland continue to face intolerable intimidation
such as arbitrary imprisonment which undermines their ability to
work freely," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. "We
condemn this practice of suppressing independent reporting and
proper scrutiny of figures of authority."
Mohamed Abdi Guled was arrested on 26 February following publication
two days earlier of an article about extrajudicial executions in
Somaliland, blaming some government officials for their role in
these killings.
The judge convicted Mohamed Abdi Guled on the basis of the testimony
from an anonymous witness who was not cross-examined by the defence
as required by due process.
The Somali National Union of Journalists (NUSOJ), IFJ affiliate, has
strongly condemned the decision which it described as a gross
miscarriage of justice.
"This decision is part of an unacceptable harassment campaign aimed
at silencing journalists," said Omar Faruk Osman Nur, NUSOJ General
Secretary. "It is a gross miscarriage of justice against our
colleague which should not stand."
IFJ urges the authorities of Somaliland to immediately release Mr.
Guled and to ensure that the rights of journalists and press freedom
are upheld in the country.
Source:africa.ifj.org
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