MAP Condemns Detention of Two Journalists for the 5th Day

Garowe, Somalia,07 October 2015 (Press Release)- Media Assocation of Puntland (MAP) condemns the closure of Universal TV, London-based Somali Television office in the Somali capital, Mogadishu and the detention of the its staff for the 5^th day without court charge, in the strongest terms possible, calling for the Somali government to lift ban on TV and release it’s journalists unconditionally.

 Somalia’s National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) on October 2, 2015 arrested Universal TV’s East Africa Director, Abdullahi Hersi and Awil Dahir, producer of the prominent Doodwadaag Talk Show after they were called for interrogation at NISA headquarters in Mogadishu and were later detained.

Despite the expiration of the constitutional 48 hours, within which those detained are to be charged or released, they remain in detention.

"We condemn the unlawful arrests of Abdillahi Hirsi and Awil Dahir, along with the raid and closure of Universal TV, which appear to be a clear case of intimidation designed to silence the freedom of press in the country”, states Faisal Khalif, MAP chairman

UN Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay, New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) among other Human Rights activities has condemned the closure of the privately-owned station and arrest of its journalists.

MAP demands ban on TV to be lifted and an immediate release of these journalists and a halt to the security agencies' efforts to intimidate the press.

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