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Journalists in South West state demand release of colleague

Journalists in South West state have called for the release of their colleague who was arrested last week for covering a press conference by civil society groups.

Journalists in South West state have called for the release of their colleague who was arrested last week for covering a press conference by civil society groups.

South West Journalists Association said in a statement Sunday it was calling for unconditional release of freelance journalist Abdulkadir Barre Moalim whose arrest has generated public uproar.

“South West Journalists Association (SOWEJA) calls Bay region authorities to release the journalist and allow fellow journalists in the region to report freely. “Mr. Barre’s arrest shows that the authorities have a plan to restrict the coverage on events taking place in the State.” said SOWEJA Chairman Mohyadin Husni.

Moalim was arrested last week at his home after covering a press conference in which civil society groups were protesting the move to bar former president Sheikh Sharif Ahmed from travelling to Kismayu.

Former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Sunday called the intimidation of journalists in South West ‘unfortunate’.

“It is unfortunate how journalists in Baidoa are being treated. Their only offense is that they informed the public the truth,” president Mohamud said.

Following Moalim’s arrest, South West administration declared a ban on political meetings in Baidoa and said it would not allow any political party to open offices in the state capital.

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