Somali Journalist Arrested in Baidoa Over Report Alleging Robbery by Security Personnel

The journalist, Abdirahman Jakataa, who works for several media outlets,posted the incident on Facebook on May 25 and was summoned yesterday to the CID headquarters over reports he produced concerning women khat vendors allegedly robbed by security personnel. The journalist published the report on the Gacal Media, after which security forces summoned him for interrogation. "After the horrific incident I reported today, I was called yesterday by the CID and the Baidoa police station. I am not sure what crime I am being charged with, but out of respect for the officer who called me and the rule of law, I am going there this morning to report any incidents I encounter." Abdirahman Jakataa said on Facebook post, "If girls were raped in front of me and I could not speak to the media, I would have retired immediately. Otherwise, tomorrow an enemy will rape them in front of me and I will remain silent," Since then, the journalist has been behind bars according to his latest post. Threats and intimidation against journalists are not new, but this incident highlights growing concerns of the situation of the press freedom in Somalia. Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) Secretary General Abdalle Mumin condemned the arrest and called upon the Southwest administration to release the journalist. "Instead of disciplining the rogue officers who raided and robbed the Khat sellers, the Southwest administration arrested the journalist for exposing the misconduct of the security officers," Abdalle Mumin, SJS Secretary General said, "This is nothing but killing the truth, and we call upon the Southwest administration to release the journalist unconditionally."