Somali Media Association (SOMA) and Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) have both urged the Banadir Regional Court to drop the false charges filed against a local journalist.
Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye, a journalist working for Goobjoog Media Group (GMG) appeared before the court on Thursday.
His lawyers, led by Dahir Mohamed Ali, held a press conference to brief the public on the court proceedings.
Dahir confirmed that Gurbiye appeared before the court to face a raft of new charges that the prosecution brought forward based on Somali Penal Code.
The lawyer said that the prosecution amended the charges that it had previously filed against the journalist.
While addressing the court, Dahir said, “Journalism is not a crime.” Therefore, he urged the court to drop the charges immediately as they lack any merit.
SOMA and SJS both added their voices to that of Gurbiye’s lawyer.
The two organizations claimed that President Mohamed Farmaajo is using archaic laws to intimidate journalists.