The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has urged authorities in Somaliland to drop the false charges filed against local journalists.
NUSOJ’s demand relates to three Somaliland journalists who have been in detention since April 13, 2022, when they were arrested.
The three are Mohamed Abdi Mohamed, Abdijabar Mohamed Hussein, and Abdirahman Ali Khalif.
Abdi works with MM Somali TV while Abdijabar and Khalif work for HornCable TV and Gobonnimo TV respectively.
The three journalists appeared in a Hargeisa court on May 9, 2022.
They were charged with committing crimes under Articles 215 and 328 of the Penal Code.
However, NUSOJ believes that the charges are not only “malicious” but also designed to “criminalize journalism” in Somaliland.
It also labeled the charges “misplaced, misconceived, and uncalled for.”
The three journalists will appear in court again on Saturday, May 14.