journalist Muhiyadin Mohammed Ali
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia Today) February 1, 2023 :- The Somali regional police arrested journalist Muhiyadin Mohammed Ali who works for Kalsan TV a day after a decision by the region’s communication bureau to take 15 foreign media outlets broadcasting in the region off air.
Kalsan TV is one of the 15 foreign media outlets banned from operating in the region.
Muhiyadin’s close friend, Abdirahman Mohammed, told Addis Standard that Muhiyadin
received a call from the police and asked to present himself to police station on 29
January after which he was detained.
According to Abdirahman, the 15 suspended media outlets were preparing to give official
press release about the ban and Muhiyadin was the coordinator of the press release,
which Abdirahman claims to be the reason of his friend’s arrest.
Another friend of Muhiyadin who asked to remain anonymous said prior to his arrest
Muhiyadin had received calls from police officers who warned him about his activities on
social media in critics of the regional ruling party.
After two days of detention at the Fafan zone police station, Muhiyadin was brought to
court on 31 January 31 on charges of spreading false propaganda using social media. His
case has been adjourned for 07 February.
On 28 January Somali Regional State Communications Bureau has banned 15 foreign
media outlets including the BBC and VOA Somali services, of working without licenses.
Somali Region Journalists’ Association, however said, the regional government played
vital role in banning these media outlets using the license issue as a pretext.
