Somalia: Local newspaper editor sentenced to five months

SOCFEX Press Release: Local newspaper editor sentenced to five months

SOCFEX condemns the arbitral detention of the editor of YOOL and the subsequent sentencing to five months by the regional court of Hargaisa in the self declared state of Somaliland after being accused of publishing newspaper without proper authorization.

Mr. Mohamed Abdi Urad has been detained by the Somaliland police in late February 2009. He was held in the headquarters of Somaliland CID in Hargaisa. He appeared in court briefly once and was sent back to detention after prosecution failed to make credible charges.

It is still not clear the reasons for his detention but unconfirmed reports suggest that the editor of YOOL is being detained because of the wishes of a minister in the incumbent government. Observers in Hargaisa claimed that the minister thought to be behind the Mr. Urad’s detention is the minister of finance. It is believed that the minister visited the CID headquarter apparently to discuss possible charges against the editor.

When the court sentenced the editor for five months the relative of the editor bought the sentence and paid the money to an account operated by the ministry of finance and later the prosecution office complained and the court requested the money.

The SOCFEX is calling the Somali Land authority to take concrete and effective action to investigate the case of Mohamed Abdi Urad.

We strongly insist on the authorities to respect his rights under the law and ensure that he receives fair trial.

For further information please contact

Somali Coalition for Freedom of Expression
Maka al-Mukara Street, opp. of Tre Piano building, Hodan District
Tel: +252 1 850 040 / 236 012 Mogadishu, Somalia
E-mail: [email][email protected], [email][email protected]