Police Arrest Mogadishu Journalist over Allegations Linked To Judiciary Reports

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Police have arrested Mogadishu-based journalist Abdullahi Abukar Ali, saying the move was carried out under a court order over allegations that he published content deemed harmful to the reputation of the country’s judicial institutions.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Somali Police Force said officers from the Banaadir Regional Police Command detained the journalist following instructions from judicial authorities.

Police accused Ali of disseminating statements and allegations that they said undermined public confidence in the judiciary. He is also alleged to have shared unverified information and content that authorities said could negatively affect public security and social stability.

The statement did not specify which reports or comments led to the arrest, and it was not immediately clear whether formal charges had been filed against the journalist.

The police said freedom of expression and media independence are rights guaranteed under Somali law, but stressed that such freedoms should be exercised in accordance with legal requirements, professional ethics and public responsibility.

The arrest is the latest to draw attention to the relationship between Somalia’s authorities and the media, with journalists’ rights groups in recent years expressing concern over arrests, detentions and legal action targeting reporters. Authorities, however, argue that legal measures are necessary when individuals are suspected of violating the law or spreading misinformation.

The case comes as Somalia continues to grapple with security challenges, political tensions and the growing influence of social media platforms, where debates over free speech, misinformation and public accountability have become increasingly prominent.

No immediate comment was available from Ali or his legal representatives.