SOLJA condemns detention of HCTV editor

Hargeisa (Somaliland.com) – Somaliland Journalists Association has condemned the arrest of the Chief Editor of Horn Cable TV in Hargeisa on Month morning. SOLJA also applauded the court decision that refused the government’s request for the closure of Horn Cable TV.

The Chairman of Somaliland Journalists Association, Mohamoud Abdi Jama (Huu’to), confirmed to media that the HCTV Editor, Abdiqadir Suleiman Aseyr (Odey) was arrested after he was summoned by Central Investigation Department (CID), for questioning and detained.

The chairman said this happened without any court warrant of arrest, criticizing the government of not following the laws and constitution of the country when dealing with the press.

Abdiqadir Odey has appeared in front of the court on Tuesday morning, where the court remanded him seven days in police custody.

On another side, SOLJA Chairman lauded the Maroodijeeh Regional Court for rejecting the government’s request for the closure of Horn Cable TV, saying the government has recently shut down several media houses without due process.

On Oct 23rd The ministry of Information and the management of Private TV stations have agreed to apply the Somaliland press law and the ministry promised not to arrest any journalist again and allegations to journalists will be decided by a court.

This comes after numerous arrests of journalists have been witnessed in Somaliland in the recent past.

On July 30 this year, the committee to protect journalists(CPJ) reported the arrests of journalists privately owned EryalTV who were filming a corruption story in Hargeisa. That followed by the arrest of HoryaalTV owner and the closure of TV Station after airing a controversial TV program.