Somali police detain three journalists in Mogadishu, confiscate equipment

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Somali police detain three journalists in Mogadishu, confiscate equipment

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) A Turkish-trained Somali police unit detained three journalists in Somali capital during an assignment to cover an ongoing security operation ahead of a planned opposition public rally on Friday, the Somali Journalists Syndi

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Somali police detain three journalists in Mogadishu, confiscate equipment. | PHOTO @SJS_Somalia,

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) A Turkish-trained Somali police unit detained three journalists in Somali capital during an assignment to cover an ongoing security operation ahead of a planned opposition public rally on Friday, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said.

The trio- Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul who covers for the Somali-speaking Universal TV and also is the Secretary of Information and Human Rights of SJS, Zakariye Ahmed Muse and Mahad Hassan Abdi of Shabelle TV were stopped and detained at KM4 junction in Mogadishu by the Haram Cad police unit. Their equipment were confiscated, according to tweet by SJS.

"The illegal detention of @sjs_Somalia Info. & Human Rights Secretary @MohaBulbul & the two other reporters in #Mogadishu on Thursday night only constitutes how #Somalia's state security forces are continuing their violations against journalists w total impunity. This MUST stop," said a tweet by the journalists union SJS.

The three journalists were released just past midnight after condemnation statements were awash on social media.

SJS secretary general, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin confirmed that the three reporters were freed and said that "It is unacceptable that state security forces are daring to detain and harass journalists and union officials -including SJS Information & Human Rights Secretary Mohamed Bulbul . This MUST stop. All equipment should be returned."

Journalists in Somalia continue to face serious attacks and threats. Somalia maintains its unenviable title as one of the most dangerous countries to practice journalism globally. Threats and attacks from government officials, private individuals and the militant al-Shabaab insurgency remain the norm. In 2020 alone 56 journalists were arrested in the country and Somali state security forces being the main perpetrators, according to a report published by SJS.