Astaan TV CEO held in a Hargeisa jail for over a week

The CEO of Astaan Cable, Abdimanan Yusuf, has been arrested in Hargeisa and held incommunicado since last week, according to the cable TV network.

According to a statement released by Astaan, Abdimanan was arrested on July 17 by authorities in Hargeisa and has been unable to meet with lawyers and family.

It is not yet clear why he is being held and what he has been charged with.

The Chairman of the Somaliland Journalist Association, Mohamoud Abdi Jama, called on the government to extend Mr Yusuf the right’s he is afforded under the constitution. He asks that Yusuf be allowed access to a lawyer.

Jama defended Abdimanan as a media owner who brings investment to the community.

Astaan is a Somalia-based cable company that specializes in sports and entertainment.