Puntland Arrests Media Director
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is condemning today’s arrest of journalist Abdulkadir Mohammed Nunow, who is the Director of Horseed Radio in Bossasso, a newly established private Radio.
Puntland soldiers following the orders of Puntland Minister for Security Affairs Mr Abdullahi Said Samatar arrested Abdulkadir Nunow, who is also correspondent for VOA Somali Section, at his office in the premises of the Radio Station around 14:10 local time as Horseed journalists told NUSOJ.
According to Puntland officials, the journalist was arrested for a news report aired from the Radio on Monday, which is an interview that a Horseed reporter made with one of Somaliland commanders on situation of people who were kidnapped from Puntland but being held in Las Qoray of Sanag region, which is controlled by Somaliland army. Sanag is disputed region that both Puntland and Somaliland claim of being part of their territory.
“Puntland officials habituated to directly and indirectly frighten journalists who want to report impartially and independently” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “We strongly denounce the arrest of Abdulkadir Nunow and demand Puntland authorities to respect journalists’ professional rights and to release Nunow immediately and unconditionally”.
Journalists in Puntland have been receiving in the past weeks all sorts of threats from people who are eager to silence journalists. Journalists were threatened to death and some of them started to avoid seeking critical information to protect them.
Horseed Radio is newly established Radio Station, which is privately owned by Somali businessmen in Diaspora. It is currently operating in six months.
