(RSF/IFEX) – On 8 September 1997, Hassan Siad, editor-in-chief of the daily “Jamhuria”, was arrested by police. Meanwhile, the commander of Hargeisa police ordered the closure of the newspaper. On 9 September, the police cordoned off its printing press. Moreover, Mahmud Abdu Shide, owner of the newspaper’s publishing centre, was detained for allegedly printing fake […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 8 September 1997, Hassan Siad, editor-in-chief of
the daily “Jamhuria”, was arrested by police. Meanwhile, the
commander of Hargeisa police ordered the closure of the
newspaper. On 9 September, the police cordoned off its printing
press. Moreover, Mahmud Abdu Shide, owner of the newspaper’s
publishing centre, was detained for allegedly printing fake
municipality tax collecting receipts. Both Siad and Shide were
released on 16 September, and the closure order on “Jamhuria” was
lifted. The newspaper appeared again on 17 September. However, no
official explanation has been given for the arrests and closure
order.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
considers that “detention, as punishment for the peaceful
expression of an opinion, is one of the most reprehensible ways
to enjoin silence and, as a consequence, a grave violation of
human rights”
Appeals To
His Excellency Mohamed Ibrahim Egal
President of the Republic of Somaliland
State House of Somaliland
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
