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Radio
station seized, another Radio station shutdown, editor briefly
detained
Mogadishu,
23 June, 2011
The
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) strongly condemns
the seizure and the closure of the local independent radio stations
by Al-Shabab and Ahlu Suna Wal Jama in the Central Somalia Towns
of Beletwein and Dhusa Mareb.
Militias
on Pickup trucks loyal to the Shabab militant group that control
the town of Beletwein arrived the Codka Hiiraan (Voice of Hiiraan)
radio station on 22 June, 2011 around 11:30am local time and
ordered the management, the journalists and the guards to immediately
abandon and took the control of the radio station, journalists
reported.
"They
have ordered us to leave the radio station and they have completely
seized ."a journalist whose name withheld for security
purposes told NUSOJ.
The
reasons of the confiscation are reportedly believed to be breaching
orders given by the Shabab to broadcast their propaganda.
Meanwhile,
Militias loyal to Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama group raided and shutdown
Dhusamareb Radio Station on Wednesday night around 8:50pm and
briefly detained the editor Abdikafi Hashi Farah, but the radio
station is still off air, according to Siciid Gabeyre, a technician.
The reasons of the closure is still unclear.
The
editor Abdikafi Hashi Farah was released on bail on around 12:00am
midnight, according to Gabeyre.
"Militias
from Ahlu Sunna group entered into the studio I was in and ordered
to shutdown the radio. All the reporters, editor and the director
were taken to the station. They immediately arrested the editor
and freed the rest of us." Siciid Gabeyre, the radio technician
told NUSOJ. "The editor was released on bail on midnight
and the radio is still off air."
"We
have interviewed on Wednesday a man calling himself to be an
official from Ahlu Sunna Jama from Herale town, in the interview
he condemned Ahlu Sunna conference convened in Adado and boycotted
the conference." Mr. Gabeyre said "I guess that's
why they have attacked our station."
The
Dhusamareb radio has been looted by Al-shabab on late April
this year when the Shabab militant group attacked and briefly
controlled the town, taking all the radio equipment and the
management of the radio replaced to a new radio station which
has been silenced by the Ahlu Sunna WalJama group on late Wednesday
on 22 June, 2011.
At least 7 radio stations has been previously looted by the
Al-Shabab in the areas under their control.
"We
condemn the strongest terms possible these violations against
the independent press that are meant to hijack the independent
voice." Mohammed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said,
"We will never tolerate any sort of violation against the
freedom of the press and call the warring groups to immediately
free the radio stations those serving the public."
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