Mogadishu, April, 19 (SOMINA)-The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) denounces illegal detention of journalist Muhyadin Hassan Mohammed in Baidoa of Bay region.
 
Al-Shabaab forces arrested Muhyadin Hassan Mohamed, who is stringer of Radio Shabelle in Bay regions, from his home around 20:00 hours of Friday, April 17, 2009.
 
“Islamic administration” under Al-Shabaab in Bay and Bakool regions accused the journalist of reporting “false news” about “increasing roadblocks in Bay region”, according to Radio Shabelle and journalists in Baidoa.
Al-Shabaab reportedly called the journalist before arriving his home about news report he made in the same day. It was also reported that Al-Shabaab forces conditioned the release of journalist to reveal where he got information of roadblocks. Al-Shabaab claimed that no roadblocks exist in the areas they control.
 
“We call upon Al-Shabaab to end these practices of intimidations and
harassments against news media in southwestern regions and to release Muhyadin Hassan Mohammed immediately,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “Targeting journalists will not conceal information from the public and will
only increase suspicions and lack of confidence within the public about the
authority”. Muhyadin Hassan Mohammed is being held at Baidoa Central Police Station and negotiations concerning his release are going on.