Mogadishu: Thursday 06/07/2017 The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns – in the strongest terms possible – the arbitrary and detention of a Somali journalist on Sunday, 2 July, 2017 in Garowe, Puntland.

The arrest of a Journalist Ahmed Ali Kilwe came after he was accused of posting what Puntland authority called a defamatory report against Puntland President in which he posted on his Facebook

NUSOJ is concerned about the ongoing arrest of the journalist without due process and asks Puntland leaders to release the detained journalist unconditionally. Mr Kilwe is now arrested at a police checkpoint in northern road of Garowe town.

The officers in charge of the Police checkpoint where the journalist is detained confirmed that Ahmed Ali Kilwe was arrested after receiving an order from senior government officials from Puntland.

Press freedom is a critical issue in Somali regional states, where journalists are still harassed and jailed,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu, NUSOJ Secretary General. "We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Ahmed Ali Kilwe as there is no even justifiable reason for his detention,” Moalimu added.

"NUSOJ is against any arrest against media workers in Somalia and we see the arrest of our journalist colleague Kilwe a violation against freedom of expression and media guarantee and enshrined by our constitution and we call upon Puntland leaders to respect the laws of the country and abandon oppression acts and harassment of journalists” Mahir Jama Aden, NUSOJ President said.
NUSOJ finally joins its affiliate MAP of condemning the arrest of the journalist and request for his immediate release.

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©2017 National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) | Maka Almukarama road ,Waberi ,Mogadishu ,Somalia