Somali police arrested four journalists on Tuesday after raiding 5TV, a privately owned media station in Mogadishu.
The arrests followed the publication of documents by the television station listing 145 officers who were neither on official leave nor on active duty.
The whereabouts of these officers remain unknown, according to the leaked documents signed by Police Chief Asad Diano.
Those arrested are reporters Mohamed Roraye, Ahmed Mohamud Ras, Mohamed Afgoye, and video editor Dahir Dayah.
The Independent Media Council condemned the detention of four journalists and called for their immediate release.
The Council said the police officers had threatened the journalists and instilled fear before taking them into custody.
They also urged the Somali government and its security agencies to respect freedom of speech.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, condemned the journalists’ detention. called the arrest a collective punishment.
“This action by the police violates the constitution and citizens’ fundamental rights”, he said.
He said independent media is crucial for fostering a democratic system based on transparency and accountability in Somalia.
He also warns the government against suppressing press freedom in Somalia.
“We demand the unconditional release of all journalists who were illegally detained”, he said.
