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Mogadishu-based journalists demand government to release a TV journalist
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    Sunday September 3, 2023

    Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali journalists are demanding that the federal government immediately release Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, a TV journalist whom the Mogadishu police have held for nearly 20 days for reporting an alleged case of corruption involving senior police officers.

    Mogadishu-based journalists gathered on Sunday to condemn the continued detention of the journalist. They argue that if Bulbul has committed a crime, the government should either bring him to court or release him.

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    Journalist and media trainer Hassan Kahiye underscored that the country's laws stated that citizens cannot be imprisoned for more than 48 hours. However, Bulbul has been in custody for 18 days without being brought to court.

    "He has not been brought to court, and the reason for his arrest and the charges have not been disclosed. Speaking on behalf of the media, we are asking the government to release him. If he has committed a crime, he should be brought to court," Kahiye said.

    Reuters photojournalist Faisal Omar Hashi emphasized that Bulbul is reportedly sick in prison. He stated, "It is unfair for the journalist to be locked up for 18 days without announcing the crime he is accused of. Journalism is not a crime. The journalist should be brought to court if he has committed an offence. If not, he should be released."

    Said Yusuf Warsame, a freelance photographer for the European Pressphoto Agency and one of the gathering organizers, pledged that the meetings will continue until the journalist iseither brought to court or released.

    Last week, the director of Reporters Without Borders (RSF's) sub-Saharan Africa desk, Sadibou Marong, called for the immediate release of the TV journalist. The Somali authorities have not announced the official reasons for Bulbul's arrest and the charges against him.

    "Journalists must be able to investigate and publish information freely, including governance issues within Somalia's defence and security forces. The Somali authorities have held Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul completely illegally for more than 18 days. We demand the immediate release of Kaab TV's editor and respect for the confidentiality of journalists' sources. RSF is also concerned about other arrests of journalists in connection with their work in recent weeks," Marong said.

    Security forces arrested Kaab TV editor Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul at Mogadishu University on August 17. The previous day, Bulbul had reported on the air that senior Somali police officers who had participated in a capacity-building training seminar organized and funded by the European Union (EUCAP Somalia) were suspected of misusing funds in connection with the seminar.

     





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