Somali reporters detained for UK broadcast

Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:30 AM GMT

HARGEISA, Somalia (Reuters) - Two journalists in the breakaway enclave of Somaliland have been sacked and detained after being caught working for a London-based private radio station, a government official says.

Deputy information minister Ali Elmi Gheleh said on Friday he ordered the dismissal of Hodo Ahmed Qarboshe and Ahmed Suleyman Dhuhul from their jobs at state-owned Radio Hargeisa after they were discovered working for the station.

"We became aware of its existence when we heard its transmission, but as they are Radio Hargeisa workers I sacked them, but I am not responsible for their arrest," he told Reuters.

Dhuhul was detained on Wednesday and Qarboshe on Thursday. It was unclear who ordered their arrest.

Local press freedom group, the Somali Journalist Network, said both were accused of spying before being released.

Global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders condemned the action, saying the Somaliland government which has outlawed private radio stations had "abused its authority".

London-based Radio Horyaal is believed by the Somaliland government to belong to the leading opposition party, Kulmiye, Reporters Without Borders said.

"The two Radio Hargeisa employees must be cleared of all suspicion and unconditionally reinstated in their posts," the group said in a statement.

"Their present situation, in which they are threatened with being thrown in prison if they go back to working as journalists, is intolerable."

Somaliland on the Gulf of Aden declared independence from anarchic Somalia in 1991, but is not recognised internationally.

© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.