MOGADISHU, Somalia Feb 4 (Garowe Online) - The spokesman for Somali Islamist group Al Shabaab has distanced his faction from the assassination of a radio director in Mogadishu, Radio Garowe reports.

Sheikh Muktar Robow "Abu Mansur" told the VOA Somali Service during a Wednesday interview that the killing of Mogadishu-based HornAfrik radio director Said Tahlil Ahmed was cruelty and sent condolences to the family.

"We [Al Shabaab] did not kill Said Tahlil, who was a friend and a man working for the public," Abu Mansur said, adding that Al Shabaab is not a perfect group but they are not involved in Tahlil's murder.

The director of Radio Codka Nabada ("Voice of Peace"), Mr. Abdiaziz Mohamud "Africa," had told the VOA Somali-language program that he was with Said Tahlil when gunshots to the head ended the journalist's life.

He stated that a group of reporters were on their way to a press conference by Al Shabaab – and were being escorted by Al Shabaab fighters – when the fatal shooting happened.

But Abu Mansur said: "Anyone who suspects us must bring proof."

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Source: Garowe Online