Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NAIROBI1697
2009-08-11 13:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - Horyaal Journalists Released
how-toVZCZCXRO9619 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #1697 2231346 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 111346Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0629 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA RUZEFAA/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS NAIROBI 001697
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - Horyaal Journalists Released
REF: NAIROBI 1539
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS NAIROBI 001697
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - Horyaal Journalists Released
REF: NAIROBI 1539
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) The two reporters from Somaliland's independent Radio
Horyaal who were arrested on July 13 were sentenced and then
released on August 9 after paying fines and then paying additional
money in lieu of serving time in prison. Another journalist was
arrested on August 4 and remains in custody. End Summary.
--------------
Horyaal Journalists
Released
--------------
2. (SBU) Radio Horyaal Director Mohamed Osman Mire and news editor
Ahmed Saleban Dhuhul, arrested on July 13 (reftel),were sentenced,
fined, and released on August 9. The two journalists were released
after paying a fine of 300,000 Somaliland shillings (approximately
$45) each. In addition, each was sentenced to six months in prison.
However, Somaliland law allows defendants to "buy their freedom" if
their sentence is less than one year. As such, each journalist paid
2.5 million Somaliland shillings (approximately $375) to secure his
freedom. A Hargeisa court had found them guilty on August 6 of
operating unlicensed radio station without permission. However, the
journalists were cleared of a second count of "airing inflammatory
reports which led to clan conflict killings."
3. (SBU) Media advocacy organizations, including the National Union
of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and the International Press Institute,
have issued statements condemning the guilty verdicts against Mire
and Dhuhul. Post remains engaged with Somaliland authorities and
media outlets in efforts to advocate for free media in Somaliland.
--------------
New Arrest
--------------
4. (SBU) In the meantime and adding to the unfortunate litany of
threats to press freedom in Somaliland, Fowsi Saleeban, a reporter
for the Somaliland.org website was arrested on August 4 in Burao
after reporting on corruption cases involving local officials.
Saleeban, reportedly arrested on the order of Burao governor, Jama
Abdillahi Biin, was still in police custody and had not been yet in
court.
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - Horyaal Journalists Released
REF: NAIROBI 1539
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) The two reporters from Somaliland's independent Radio
Horyaal who were arrested on July 13 were sentenced and then
released on August 9 after paying fines and then paying additional
money in lieu of serving time in prison. Another journalist was
arrested on August 4 and remains in custody. End Summary.
--------------
Horyaal Journalists
Released
--------------
2. (SBU) Radio Horyaal Director Mohamed Osman Mire and news editor
Ahmed Saleban Dhuhul, arrested on July 13 (reftel),were sentenced,
fined, and released on August 9. The two journalists were released
after paying a fine of 300,000 Somaliland shillings (approximately
$45) each. In addition, each was sentenced to six months in prison.
However, Somaliland law allows defendants to "buy their freedom" if
their sentence is less than one year. As such, each journalist paid
2.5 million Somaliland shillings (approximately $375) to secure his
freedom. A Hargeisa court had found them guilty on August 6 of
operating unlicensed radio station without permission. However, the
journalists were cleared of a second count of "airing inflammatory
reports which led to clan conflict killings."
3. (SBU) Media advocacy organizations, including the National Union
of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and the International Press Institute,
have issued statements condemning the guilty verdicts against Mire
and Dhuhul. Post remains engaged with Somaliland authorities and
media outlets in efforts to advocate for free media in Somaliland.
--------------
New Arrest
--------------
4. (SBU) In the meantime and adding to the unfortunate litany of
threats to press freedom in Somaliland, Fowsi Saleeban, a reporter
for the Somaliland.org website was arrested on August 4 in Burao
after reporting on corruption cases involving local officials.
Saleeban, reportedly arrested on the order of Burao governor, Jama
Abdillahi Biin, was still in police custody and had not been yet in
court.
RANNEBERGER