August 10, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National
Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) denounces today’s court decision
against two Radio journalists in Hargeisa.
Hargeisa Regional Court has today, Sunday 9 August 2009, sentenced
journalists Mohamed Osman Mire, widely known as "Siyad", and Ahmed
Suleyman Dhuhul, director and news editor of Horyaal Radio
respectively, to prison terms of six months and a fine of 300,000
Somaliland Shillings (Approximately US$45) for each of them.
Judge Faysal Abdullahi Ismail convicted the two journalists for
“reporting through a Radio Station, which is unlawfully operating in
Somaliland, and disseminating information that resulted loss of life
and properties�.
The judge also said that journalists defended charges leveled against
them by the prosecutor, who said that they were behind murderous
attack that took place in the road between Gabiley and Borame.Â
“Prosecutor failed to proof this charge�, Judge Faysal said in the
courtroom.
 The journalists subsequently asked in the courtroom to buy the
prison term, and according to Somaliland law, which allows convicted
people to pay money for prison terms of less than one year.Â
Judge Faysal Abdullahi Ismail announced that each of the two
journalists bought the prison term by paying an amount of 2,500,000
Somaliland Shilling, which is approximately US$373. As a result,
Hargeisa Regional Court released today Mohamed Osman Mire and Ahmed
Suleyman Dhuhul.
Hargeisa Regional Court completed hearing of this case last Thursday,
6 August 2009, and set today to announce its decision.
Somaliland authorities arrested the two Horyaal Radio journalists
after the station aired, on the evening of 10 July, a closed doors
meeting between Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin and 25 elders
from Gabiley town, which reportedly ended in disagreement, according
to trustworthy sources in Somaliland.
SOURCE
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
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