Prisoners of conscience freed in Somaliland
Posted: May 25, 2007
Journalist Yusuf Abdi Gabobe was released after being pardoned by the President of Somaliland. © Private
On March 29, 2007, the President of Somaliland pardoned journalists Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, Ali Abdi Dini and Mohamed Omar Sheikh Ibrahim.
The three men were released from Mandera prison, where they had been serving sentences ranging from 24 to 29 months after they were found guilty on March 4 of "reporting false information about the government, discrediting the president and his family and creating inter-communal tension."
The journalists were greeted by a crowd of relatives, friends, journalists and human rights activists who gathered in front of the prison on hearing the news of the presidential pardon.
Armed police had raided the office of the Haatuf Media Network in Somaliland's capital Hargeisa on January 2, 2007, ransacking the office and destroying property. Editor-in-chief Yusuf Abdi Gabobe and editor Ali Abdi Dini were arrested, even though police did not have a warrant.
The journalists were reportedly detained for publishing a number of articles since November 2006, alleging corruption on the part of the President, Dahir Riyaale Kahin, and his family.
Amnesty International had issued an Urgent Action appeal on behalf of the journalists, and Amnesty members arround the world had written to the authorities and called for the release of the men.
Background information:
The Haatuf Media Network was established in 2001 and publishes the daily Haatuf (the "Messenger") - a Somali language newspaper - and two weekly newspapers in English and Arabic. It has frequently been critical of the Somaliland government.
The Republic of Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but has not so far gained international recognition. It is the only part of the former
Somali Republic to have peace, an elected government and a multi-party
political system.