Monday February 13, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Banadir Regional Court today sentenced the head of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Abdalle Muunin, to a two months prison sentence on Monday.
Mumin was
arrested in early October after criticizing a "blanket ban" on extremist idealogy. He was taken into custody at Mogadishu's international airport while on his way to Nairobi. He spent two days at the infamous Godka Jila'ow before being transferred to the criminal investigation department for another several days before being
freed on bail, where he
remained for five months until his trial.
According to sources, Mumin has been released from custody despite the conviction.
The SJS said they were "outraged" by the judgement against their Secretary General.
Mohamed Ibrahim, the group's President said the conviction was a breach on press freedoms.
”As the Somali media fraternity commemorates world Radio day, today’s court sentence not only sends a chilling message to the entire media fraternity but also instills fear among media professionals and press freedom advocacy groups.”
Several prominent press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, have denounced the charges against Mumin and have called on Somali authorities to drop the charges,
Somalia remains one of the
most dangerous places in the world to practice journalism. According to Reporters Without Borders, abbreviated RSF in French, Somalia ranks 140th out of 180 nations for press freedom, with more than 50 journalists killed there since 2010.
Abdalle Mumin's lawyers and the SJS said that they would be appealing the conviction.