SOMALILAND: Police detain 9 over opposition flag

HARGEISA (Somalilandpress) — Presidential guards netted around nine people including three journalists on Wednesday near the Presidential palace over an opposition flag.

At least nine people including independent reporters were taken into custody by the President's guards and state police when they stormed a house just few meters away from the Presidential compound.

According to eyewitnesses the guards became agitated and aggressive when civilians leased a private property few meters away from the palace in the opposite direction and started to display a flag belonging to the main opposition Kulmiye Party.

The guards with the support of the state police then detained people who gathered around the private resident as well as reporters. All nine people were taken to the main central police station in Hargeisa without any charges.

The detained reporters are Mohamed Said of Berbera News, Mohamoud Jama [Xuuto] of Waaheen Media and Mohamed Rashid from the state run Radio Hargeisa.

The national government continue to arrest and detain people who support the two opposition parties illegally just days before the presidential elections. These repressions could have a negative impact on the overall out come of the elections unless the regime stops the on going abuses.

Somalilandpress | Wednesday, June 2, 2010