Abdiaziz Gurbiye, a journalist and editor working for Goobjoog Media Group (GMG), faces “trumped-up charges,” the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has said.
FESOJ has strongly condemned his arrest and subsequent detention. Further, the organization says the government is relying on outdated laws to charge the journalist.
According to FESOJ, Gurbiye’s alleged wrongdoings are of a civil rather than criminal nature.
Through its Secretary General, Mohamed Mooalimu, FESOJ said, “The criminal defamation charges facing Gurbiye are a violation of his constitutional rights.”
Gurbiye was transferred to Mogadishu’s Central Police Station on Wednesday. The police have yet to confirm when they intend to present him in court to answer the charges facing him.
Among the crimes they have charged him with include offending the President’s honor. He is also accused of offending authorities by publishing damaging information.