Statement from the Somali Journalists Network (SOJON)

North Mogadishu based Faction leader Muse Sudi Yalaxow and his militias abused radio journalists on the 15th of June 2004 in Yalaxow's Headquarters in Mogadishu, after his militia tortured journalist Abdirahman Ali Subiye, while Muse himself destroyed journalist's digital camera and denied their freedom to collect information.

This maltreatment occurred when a mediation committee from Abgal Elders and religious people nominated to solve the one month fighting between two militias loyal to Muse Sudi Yalahow and businessman, Bashir Ragge Shirar, returned with the Muse Sudi militias to their headquarters in north Mogadishu.

Journalist Abdirahman Ali Subiye from Idaacadda Qur'aanka Kariimka (Holly Quran Radio) was detained by Yalaxow's militia in their centre of operations. Mr. Subiye was beaten with the back side of hand guns carried by the special security guarding Muse Sudi. Some of the militia were boxing and slapping him. 'I was brought to Muse Sudi, and he told me to give him the Camera, and he put my Camera under a battle vehicle, which destroyed the Digital Camera' Subiye said.

During this, members of the mediation committee stopped the abuses by ordering the militias to release Mr Subiye and other two journalists, Hassan Xaji Hanafi and Fardowso Mohammed Abdulle, who were also harassed and denied their right to collect information.

Somali Journalists Network condemned this atrocious act, which is offensive cruelty on freedom of press and the freedom of information.


For more information, please contact:

Omar Faruk Osman
Secretary General
Somali Journalists Network (SOJON)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.sojonsomalia.org