12 Detained Journalists in Hargeisa Freed

Somaliland security forces have released 12 journalists who were recently arrested and detained for 6 days, for covering riots at the main Hargeisa prison between inmates and prison guards after six days in jail.

Some of the journalists who addressed the media shortly after their release said they were not happy with their release citing that the security forces had arrested them illegally.

Narrating their days in jail, reporters said security forces treated them well in prison and demanded the immediate release of the three colleagues who remain in police custody for unknown reasons.

They noted that arrest will never stop them from exercising their rights to freedom of speech and access to information. They also expressed gratitude to anyone who was involved in efforts to regain their freedom.

On Wednesday last week, security forces arrested 17 journalists who were covering the hargeisa prison riot. Two were immediately released after brief detention. Local and international media associations called on the government to release the detained journalists.