Somali journalist appears in court as media crackdown grow

Somalia is ranked one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist with nearly 70 media workers killed and many fled the country since 1991 after the break out of the civil war.

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Somali journalist appears in court as media crackdown grow

GAROWE, Somalia – A renowned freelance journalist appeared in a military court Saturday in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland state, on charges related to his journalistic work, according to a media colleague.

Kilwe Aden, a young reporter has been behind bars for two months without charges brought against him, a move that violates the country’s constitution and criminal law.

The journalist was arrested in January in Garowe by the security forces of the regional state and held a secret Puntland Intelligence jail, accusing of incitement and posting fake news on his Facebook page.

His lawyer said Kilwe is only held for covering last month’s protests in Garowe against high inflation and devaluation of the currency that led to an unprecedented crisis in the region.

This case has intensified concerns over shrinking press freedoms in Puntland, as authorities continue to crack down on journalists and the independent media houses to silence their voices to inform the public.

Somalia is ranked one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist with nearly 70 media workers killed and many fled the country since 1991 after the civil war began.

KON English News Desk

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