NISA agents raid TV office, arrest journalists

The journalists were later released from prison without charges. This is the second assault on the same TV HQ in the capital since last year, according to its managing director.

News Keydmedia Online
8 February 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali national security forces raided the offices of the privately owned Somali Cable TV in Mogadishu on Monday and arrested two journalists shortly after Farmajo’s term lapsed.

“NISA officers with pistols stormed the TV’s office and briefly shut down the station and took two journalists to its notorious Godka Jilacow prison for interrogations,” said the management.

It’s not yet clear the reason behind NISA’s attack on the TV station, but this is part of the frequent arbitrary harassment of Somali journalists and lack of respect freedom of the press.

The journalists were later released from prison without charges. This is the second assault on the same TV HQ in the capital since last year, according to its managing director.

Somali Cable TV, headquartered in London, in the U.K. said its coverage on current political affairs in Mogadishu was limited since the mandate of Farmajo came to an end last night.

Media advocacy groups say the raid on the TV office and arrest of the journalists is an absolutely illegal measure that violates the principles of freedom of information and expression enshrined in Somalia’s constitution.

Farmajo whose 4-year term expired last night used the National Intellgence and Securuty Agency [NISA] as a tool to silence voices of dissent to hide his government's ‘atrocities’.

KON English News Desk