Paragon Posted October 25, 2006 25 October 2006 Baidoa-based government urged to release three journalists arrested by its troops Reporters Without Borders today called for the immediate release of three journalists working for privately-owned radio stations who were arrested yesterday near the southern city of Baidoa by militias loyal to the transitional federal government after they filmed evidence of the presence of Ethiopian soldiers on Somali territory. “These journalists were undesired witnesses of the bloody poker game being played by the belligerents in Somalia,†the press freedom organisation said. “In view of the very worrying situation in which our three colleagues now find themselves, we urge the government to respect the press freedom guarantees contained in the federal transition charter it signed.†Reporters Without Borders added: “The public has a right to know the realities of the fighting that is taking place in Somalia. President Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed must therefore order the release of these journalists, as they were just doing their job in an extremely dangerous situation in which news manipulation is one of the weapons being used.†Fahad Mohammed Abukar of Baidoa-based Warsan Radio, Mohammed Adawe Adam of Mogadishu-based Radio Shabelle and Muktar Mohammed Atosh of Mogadishu-based HornAfrik were arrested yesterday morning in Daynunay, a village 15 km outside Baidoa, where the government has its headquarters. They were coming from Burhakaba, a place about 60 km away where government troops have been fighting militias loyal to the Islamic courts that control Mogadishu. Three people travelling with them were also arrested. They were taken to Baidoa for interrogation at the headquarters of the criminal investigation police. The Reporters Without Borders partner organisation in Somalia, the National Union of Somali Journalists, said they are now being held in the city’s prison. The three journalists were caught in possession of a digital video camera containing footage of the body of an Ethiopian soldier of Somali origin killed in Burhakaba, as well as footage of Ethiopian soldiers in Somalia, a local political source told Reporters Without Borders on condition of anonymity. The transitional government, which is recognised by the international community, has been battling for several months for control of southern Somalia with the Islamic courts, which have proclaimed a jihad against Ethiopia. The Islamic courts, which control Mogadishu and nearly two thirds of the provinces, claim that Ethiopian troops are fighting alongside the government militias. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has acknowledged sending “about a hundred trainers at the most†to Somalia. Reporters sans frontieres Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
