Abdirisak Jama Elmi was attacked when he was leaving his house in the Howl-Wadag district of Mogadishu. Elmi was hit by three bullets on the back and stomach, and is receiving treatment at Mogadishu’s Madina hospital.
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) strongly condemns the attempted murder of senior Somali journalist and renowned TV personality on Sunday, 12 October 2014.
Abdirisak Jama Elmi (known as “Black”), director of the Somali Channel TV office in Mogadishu, was attacked when he was leaving his house in the Howl-Wadag district. The TV journalist was hit by three bullets on the back and stomach, and is receiving treatment at Mogadishu’s Madina hospital.
“This is yet another disgraceful attack on freedom of expression in Somalia. However, such attacks will not deter Somali journalists from pursuing their journalism mission,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
Despite repeated calls to ensure safety and security for journalists, violent attacks, threats, arrests and intimidations against journalists continue.
“The government must act swiftly and decisively in this and all cases that have been building up for years in Somalia. Full prosecution of the perpetrators of such crimes is the only answer to reversing this history of impunity,” asserted Osman.
