Somalia re-arrests press rights advocate Abdalla Mumin

Abdalla is also accused of publishing a “secret” video; in reference to CCTV footage that he tweeted of intelligence and security agents trying to force entry into the SJS offices in Mogadishu.

News Keydmedia Online
18 October 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Police re-arrested Abdalla Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of SJS, who was released on bail a day ago after a court postponed the hearing of his case to 45 days.

Somali Journalists Syndicate [SJS] said Mumin was detained at Mogadishu airport on Tuesday while boarding a flight to Nairobi for a medical check-up as he suffers kidney pain.

SJS has strongly condemned the arbitrary arrest of its SG and called for his unconditional release. The re-arrest came after he was released on bail last Sunday from Mogadishu prison.

The press freedom advocate and freelance journalist Abdalla Mumin was first arrested on October 11 at the same airport, His detention drew local and international condemnations.

Abdalle Ahmed Mumin is a fearless and tireless advocate for the rights of Somali journalists to report the news freely and independently. His arrest is an unacceptable aggression and is undoubtedly sending a ripple of fear through the Somali media community,” said CPJ sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. 

The jailing of the journalist came after he was accused of disobeying a ministerial order that broadly bans the dissemination of Al-Shabaab propaganda as the army launched an offensive.

Abdalla is also accused of publishing a “secret” video; in reference to CCTV footage that he tweeted of intelligence and security agents trying to force entry into the SJS offices in Mogadishu.

Last Wednesday, the ministry of information for the Federal Government of Somalia said he is being held on a security-related charge not related to his journalistic work.

KEYDMEDIA English