21 July, 2008

Chairman of Somaliland Livestock Traders Union Arrested

Chairman of Somaliland Livestock Traders Union Arrested

Harggeisa (HOL): Chairman of Somaliland Livestock Traders Union Mr.
Abdilllahi Mohamed Abdirahman (Awal Bari) was arrested last night
while he was staying at Hotel Sa'ad in the city of Hargeisa.

Mr. Abdillahi Arab Ismail who is a member of the Union confirmed for
HOL that the Chairman was first taken to a Police Station at New
Hargeisa but later transferred to the headquarters of the Criminal
Investigation Department. "The Chairman was arrested while staying at
Sa'ad Hotel and was first taken to New Hargeisa Police Station where
he remained about an hour waiting for the arrival of the chief Police
Station after which he was transferred to the headquarters of the
Criminal Investigation Department," said Mr. Ismail.

Mr. Arab added that when they tried to bring a mattress to the
Chairman, they were denied access to him. "When we tried to bring him
a mattress at the place he was being held, the deputy of the Criminal
Investigation denied us access to the Chairman so we retuned" said Mr.
Ismail.

When we asked what they know about the arrests of the Chairman, Mr.
Ismail responded that they don't know anything about the reasons for
his arrest but suspect that it may have something to do with an
interruption of Somaliland livestock exports related to a recent
agreement the Somaliland government reached with a Saudi businessman.

Talking about how they feel about the arrest of the Chairman, Mr.
Ismail said "we see the arrest of the Chairman a violation of his
rights since he has not been accused of any crimes." Mr. Ismail added
that "the time and place where was arrested also display a disrespect
on behalf of the government since the Chairman is a respected
community member".

In a press conference held yesterday, members of Somaliland Livestock
Traders Union, including the arrested Chairman, requested from the
president of Somaliland to allow export of livestock. In recent days
there has been a dispute between Somaliland government and Somaliland
Livestock Traders Union. The disputed is related to the Union's
opposition to an agreement the Somaliland government reached with a
Saudi businessman. The Union urged the government to reverse its
decision because they see it as an obstacle to the development of
Somaliland Livestock Industry.

source:hiran

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