Journalist in Somaliland to set to appear in court for support Somali president

Abdimalik Mouse Oldoon, a freelance journalist, who was arrested on 15th February in Hargeisa is set to appear before court on Tuesday.

Somaliland administration has accused Oldon of being supporter of Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

He will face trial on three different charges including deliberate incitement and provocation, according to Somaliland prosecutor.

Oldon, an online freelance journalist and blogger was arrested following his visit to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu during the presidential elections in February.

Despite having no personal security concerns unlike their colleagues in southern and central Somalia, journalists in Somaliland and its neighbouring Puntland have in recent times been subject to intimidation, censorship and harassment, a scenario journalists’ rights groups criticizes as ‘draconian’.

Security have earlier arrested journalists and closed down media station station, drawing criticism by media watchdogs and rights groups.

Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 but is yet to gain international recognition.