(CPJ/IFEX)- On 4 March 1998, Hassan Said Yussuf, editor of “Jamhuria”, an independent Somali-language daily newspaper, and Yassin Mohamed Ismail, editor of the independent English-language weekly newspaper “Republican”, were arrested by police under orders of Prosecutor General Hassan Hersi Ali of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. Yussuf was charged with defamation in connection with an […]
(CPJ/IFEX)- On 4 March 1998, Hassan Said Yussuf, editor of “Jamhuria”, an
independent Somali-language daily newspaper, and Yassin Mohamed Ismail,
editor of the independent English-language weekly newspaper “Republican”,
were arrested by police under orders of Prosecutor General Hassan Hersi Ali
of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.
Yussuf was charged with defamation in connection with an editorial in
“Jamhuria” which accused Prosecutor General Hassan Herso Ali of curtailing
press freedom to prevent the debate over leadership in Somaliland.
Government officials are considering pursuing further charges relating to
other articles published in the newspaper.
Ismail has not yet been charged by authorities and his now-banned
publication is currently under investigation by police. The ban, which was
announced by Prosecutor General Ali over Radio Hargeisa, may be related to
allegations by authorities that the newspaper was not legally registered.
“The Republican” plans to challenge this ban in court. Prosecutor General
Ali also warned the National Printing Press, the parent company of
“Jamhuria”, to close down its operations or face unspecified legal actions.
Mohamed Abdi Shida, publisher of both newspapers and owner of the National
Printing Press, was sentenced on 19 February 1998 to a six-month prison
sentence for printing government revenue receipts without proper
authorization.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Shida.
journalists and
media houses in Somaliland
Appeals To
Government officials
State House of Somaliland
Hargeisa
Republic of Somaliland
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
