Somali journalist unlawfully held for exposing police training fund embezzlement involving EU

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Somali journalist unlawfully held for exposing police training fund embezzlement involving EU

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – The European Union (EU) mission known as EUCAP Somalia has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction in the wake of a report alleging corruption reported by local media last week, a senior Somali police told a court in Mo

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Journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul. | Photo credit Facebook/Mohamed Bulbul

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – The European Union (EU) mission known as EUCAP Somalia has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction in the wake of a report alleging corruption reported by local media last week, a senior Somali police told a court in Mogadishu on Saturday.

The statement comes after the unlawful detention of prominent journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, who appeared before the Banadir Regional Court on Saturday morning, as confirmed by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Bulbul, a senior reporter and the Secretary of Information and Human Rights for SJS, was apprehended without lawful cause subsequent to his groundbreaking investigative piece. The report unveiled instances of embezzlement involving funds meant for junior police officers partaking in a training seminar supported by the European Union Capacity Building (EUCAP) in Mogadishu.

Broadcast by Kaab TV on Wednesday, the report revealed that 36 police officers slated to receive daily per diem payments for a 46-day training seminar focused on computer knowledge were left without their entitled compensation. The officers later went on strike demanding their per diem payment.

In response to the report, plain-clothed armed officers stormed Mogadishu University on Thursday, where Bulbul was attending a study session. Following a physical altercation, he was forcibly placed into an unmarked vehicle. He remained unaccounted for until later in the day when he was discovered within a cell at the police’s criminal investigation department.

Subsequent attempts by lawyers and family members to access him were denied, as detailed by SJS Secretary-General Abdalle Mumin and Bulbul’s mother.

On Saturday, during a brief court appearance, the police were unable to present formal charges and faltered when questioned by the judge about the legality of the journalist’s detention. This caused a moment of confusion. Nevertheless, the judge at the Banadir Regional Court granted a seven-day remand to the police for investigative purposes.

Lawmakers and local media representatives converged at the court premises on Saturday to witness Bulbul’s appearance, escorted by police personnel.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said that instead of focusing on investigating the alleged crimes brought to light in the story, the police have chosen to exert their full force against the journalist as a means of intimidation.

At the court room, Abdifatah Ali, the Chief of the Somali Police Investigation Department, stated that they are actively seeking information regarding the journalist’s sources and further requested access to journalist’s phone and computer.

As of now, the EUCAP Somalia has not provided a comment to our reporter for this story.

The European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) serves as a civilian crisis management initiative aimed at enhancing Somali maritime security and overall police capacity, according to its official website.

Launched in July 2012 as EUCAP NESTOR to bolster maritime security in the Horn of Africa, the Mission’s focus was subsequently narrowed to solely encompass Somalia, including Somaliland, and its name was changed to EUCAP Somalia in December 2016.

In December 2022, the Council of the European Union extended the Mission’s mandate for an additional two years (2023-2024), centered on the augmentation of Somalia’s maritime security sector, broader police development, and the rule of law. EUCAP Somalia plays a role in strategic advice, mentoring, capacity building, and training across various domains including coast guard functions, police-prosecution collaboration, and law drafting. The Mission’s allocated budget for its renewed mandate amounts to 81 million Euros.

With headquarters in Mogadishu and field offices in Somaliland and Puntland, EUCAP Somalia operates with a back-office located in Nairobi, Kenya.