19 Mar 2010 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Two journalists have been detained in southern Somalia by the Islamist group al-Shabaab. Mohammed Salad Abdulle of the Somali Broadcasting Corporation was arrested in Kismayo, while Mohamed Abdikarim was imprisoned in Baladhawo on 16 March. Al-Shabaab claims to control most of southern and central Somalia and has a history of abducting or killing reporters. Most recently the group arrested Ali Yusuf Adan, a correspondent for Radio Somaliweyn, in the lower Shabelle region.
18 Jan 2010 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Following violent clashes in Nairobi on 16 January that left five dead, Kenyan police have arrested more than 300 people, including 16 Somali MPs. Last week’s demonstration were organized to demand the release of Abdullah Al-Faisal, the Jamaican-born Muslim cleric who served five years in jail in the UK for inciting racial hatred. Al-Faisal has been detained without charge pending deportation, Kenya’s efforts to deport the controversial figure have been hampered by their inability to find an airline willing to carry him.
Internal Security Minister George Saitoti has accused the Somali Islamist group Al-Shabab of being involved in the clashes, Saitoti claimed most of those detained have been picked up on suspicion of being illegal immigrants. Kenyan human rights activist Al-Amin Kimathi, who has been campaigning for Al-Faisal’s release, was arrested on Monday 18 January.
26 Nov 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan have been released after being held captive by militants for 15 months. Reports state that the pair were freed after a ransom of $1m was paid. The two journalists were held in solitary confinement after being kidnapped on 23 August 2008 and were subject to beatings and torture.
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3 Nov 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
War photographer and AFP stringer, Mohamed Dahir and Mohamoud Muktar Koofi, a Universal TV cameraman, were arrested and detained for 48 hours on 28 October after they were seen photographing African Union tanks firing at Bakara Market, Mogadishu. The journalists, arrested by Government police, were held at the presidential palace, Villa Somalia. Their cameras were seized and the images erased.
