Somaliland Releases 3 Imprisoned Journalists

Three journalists were released a from a prison stint in Somaliland on Monday after having been imprisoned since last week in the country's capital, Hargeisa.

The Somaliland Journalist Association (SOLJA) confirmed the release of the journalists, who work for local media outlet Hadhwanaag News on Twitter saying: "SOLJA has released 3 journalists on bail today. The journalists Abdirizak Goud, Abdiqani Aspro and Abdirahman Sheikh has been in detention since last week."

The journalists were arrested by Somaliland police after reporting on alleged corruption by the country's central bank governor, according to the Mogadishu-based Somali Journalists Syndicate.

"The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) demands Somaliland authorities withdraw the unfounded and politically motivated charges against Hadhwanaag News journalists in relation to their coverage on alleged corruption against Somaliland's Central Bank Governor who filed complaints against these journalists," SJS Secretary General Abdalle Ahmed Mumin told Anadolu Agency.

Attacks against journalists and media outlets were on the rise this month as Somaliland and Puntland arrested five journalists and shutdown three media houses.

Since January, more than 17 journalists were arrested in Somalia, according to the SJS. -