National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has urged Somaliland authorities to release Abdimanan Yusuf, the owner of Astaan TV immediately.
NUSOJ expressed outrage at the decision by the Hargeisa Regional Court to sentence Yusuf to an imprisonment of five years.
Furthermore, the organization also urged authorities to reverse a decision that it calls “a travesty of justice.”
In addition to imprisoning Yusuf to five years, the court also fined him 2 billion Somaliland Shillings while ordering the cancellation of Astaan TV’s license.
Consequently, the private station is no longer on air.
NUSOJ has not only ordered Yusuf’s release but also demanded Astaan TV’s reinstatement.
It also called the entire case against Yusuf and Astaan TV “political.”
NUSOJ’s Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman, called the accusations filed by the government against Yusuf and Astaan TV “totally fabricated.”
