Front Line is concerned following reports that Mr Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” was sentenced to five months' imprisonment on 17 March 2009. Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” is a member of the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) and the editor of newspaper YOOL.

Further Information

SOLJA is an organisation which advocates the rights of journalists in Somaliland. Front Line issued an urgent appeal on 3 March 2009, following the arrest of Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” by police in the city of Hargeisa on 26 February 2009.

On 17 March 2009, Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” was sentenced to five months' imprisonment by the Hargeisa regional court under allegations of unlawfully printing a newspaper and spreading lies. Other journalists and his family members were instructed to leave the court room when the verdict was announced. The public prosecutor refused a request made by his family to pay a fine rather than accept the prison sentence. According to journalists in Somaliland, the arrest and sentencing of Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” was influenced by ministers in Somaliland, in particular the Minister for Finance, Mr Awil Ali Duale. On the day when Mohamed Ali Guled “Urad” was sentenced, Minister Awil Ali Duale was reportedly seen at the Criminal Investigations Department. SOLJA campaigned for the release of Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” before the sentence against him was passed, but its court application to have him released was opposed by the Attorney General.

Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” had been arrested on 26 February 2009 after an article written by him was published on 24 February 2009. The article reported on the alleged planned murder by the authorities of members of the Somaliland parliament and opposition leaders.

Front Line believes that Mohamed Abdi Guled “Urad” has been sentenced because of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights, in particular his reporting on issues of democracy and good governance. Front Line is concerned that this may form part of an ongoing pattern of harassment against journalists in Somaliland.