NUSOJ Condemns attack on journalist in northern Somalia

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemned the
beating by security guards of regional governor of a TV journalist who was
covering presidential campaign in Port town of Bossasso.

Ahmed Muse Ali, known Ahmed Jokar, who is reporter and representative of
private Royal TV network was violently beaten on Thursday, 12 July, by
security guards of Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan, governor of Puntland’s Bari
region in northeastern Somalia, at International Village Hotel in Bossasso
where the presidential campaign of one of the candidates standing for
election of Somali President. Ali, who suffered injuries, was reportedly
threatened by security guards that they would kill him if they see him at
the function.

The motive behind the attack was not explained by Bari region
administration but it is widely believed that the security guards of the
Governor was ordered to beat the journalist following critical reports
aired by the TV. The security guards took away Ali’s mobile and refused to
return to him.

“This was a move to kill me. They pointed the guns at me and threatened
that they would kill me,” said Ahmed Muse Ali.

“The fact that security guards attacked Ahmed Muse Ali in broad daylight is
absolutely despicable and shows the climate of impunity for attacks on
journalists in Puntland,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

Abdiweli Hassan Gooni NUSOJ Puntland Coordinator urged Puntland authorities to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice because battering and beating journalists in line of duty is unacceptable and constitutes serious violation of human rights of journalists.

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For further information, contact:

*National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)*

Taleex Street, KM4 Area, Hodan District,
Mogadishu, Somalia, tel/fax: +252 61 5889931
e-mail: newsletter@nusoj.org

Internet: *http://www.nusoj.org*

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*National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)* is a national union

representing Somali journalists to promote and protect freedom of the press
and the interests and rights of journalists. It is a member of the

International Federation of Journalists (*IFJ*), International Freedom of
Expression exchange (*IFEX*), Federation of African Journalists (*FAJ*) and
Eastern Africa Journalists Association (*EAJA*). NUSOJ is partner with
Reporters without Borders (*RWB*).
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