Ahlu-Sunna frees six journalists

Six local journalists including two female reporters were set free after staying 24 hours behind the bars, sources say.

The administratin of Somali Islamist Moderate group, Ahlu-Sunna waljama’a has released the journalists who were apprehended by local fighters loyal to the group.

The traditional elders in Dhusa-Mareeb town have negotiated the leaders of the group to release the journalists.

Ahlu-Sunna said that it has released the journalist on bail and they will appear in court immediately the conclusion of the investigation is released.

The freed journalists are:
• Mohamed Deeq Abdi Mohamed
• Bashiir Sank
• Abdi Jamaa Moalim Ahmed
• Abdullahi Warsame Rooble
• Nafiso Hirsi Ogle
• Leylo Noor Elmi

Fighters loyal to Ahlu-Sunna have detained six journalists after the journalists reportedly turned down an order from the group saying that the media and the journalists to register by providing questionnaire forms for the purpose of collecting the personal data from the journalists, which the journalists questioned the security of the information they provide citing privacy issues.

On May 18, 2015, the Ahlu Sunna administration in the town of Guriel in Central Somalia raided the premises of Radio Galgaduud in Guricel and closed its doors and briefly arrested the stations deputy director Abdulkadir Gure Barre after the radio station refused to comply draconian orders imposed by the group. Radio Galgaduud was allowed to resume operation after more than a week the radio was off air. Meanwhile the administration detained Osman Mohamed Adan, correspondent of the Somali National Television (SNTV) based in Guriel, for 24 hours and and ordered his immediate deportation.

Ahlu-Sunna Waljama’a who controls part Galgaduud region has been engaging gun battle with Somali government forces in a bid to extend its ruling areas.

The group took control of Dhusa-Mareb town which is the designated capital of newly formed Galmudug state temporarily operating in Adado town