Media Rights Groups had accused president Farmajo of violating both rights of journalists and the constitution of the country.

Benadir Regional Court has unlawfully sentenced Goobjoog journalist Abdi Aziz Gurbiye to six months in prison on false charges.

The court’s decision was swiftly denounced by Media and Human Rights Organizations underscoring that the detention of Gurbiye is a weapon to suppress the independent media already facing diverse threats from different groups.

The secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) Mohamed Abduwahab said the court’s ruling was politically motivated according to the allegations against the journalist.

“Gurbiye’s court ruling is illegal and is being pushed by the office of the president and the judiciary which is not independent,” said Mohamed Abdiwahab.

Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) Abdalla Ahmed Mumin says that yesterday’s sentencing of Gurbiye was bias, and that the allegations against journalist Gurbiye had many times been changed.

“The reason why journalists are escaping the country is because they are in fear of what has happened to their workmate Gurbiye and If not solved the problem of the judiciary system many journalists will end up overseas for safety,” said Abdalla Ahmed.

Secretary General of Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) Mohamed Ibrahim Maalimuu said the raid on Goobjoog journalist Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye is an example of the endless threats of Somali journalists working in the country.

“We respect the decision of the Benadir Regional Court but we are saddened that Somali journalists are still treated under the outdated 1964 Somali Penal of Code which is inappropriate to Somalia Media and journalists.” said Mohamed Ibrahim Maalim

Since Farmajo took office in February 2017 the threat against Somali journalists has become recurrent as many journalists were either killed, threatened, fled or imprisoned.

Goobjoog News.