Radio Shabelle manager Abdirashid Omar Qase and news director Abdi Mohamed Ismail were released unconditionally after being held for three days.
(RSF/IFEX) – 31 March 2011 – Two journalists who were wrongfully arrested by the National Security Agency in Mogadishu on 27 March 2011 – Radio Shabelle manager Abdirashid Omar Qase and news director Abdi Mohamed Ismail – were released unconditionally on 30 March.
Shabelle Media Network, which owns the station, thanked all those who condemned the detention of their employees and paid tribute to the courage of the many Somalis who demonstrated on the streets of Mogadishu in protest.
In a statement, the media company said: “Regardless of the threats and acts of bullying that we are facing from those oppressing independent reporting media operating in Somalia, Shabelle Media network is committed to continue flying the flag of independent journalism in Somalia.”
As previously reported, two other journalists, Liban Abdi Farah and Mohamed Abdinur Hashi, are being held in the northern regions of Puntland and Somaliland. Reporters Without Borders calls on the authorities to free them at once.
