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Somali journalist killed by police

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This is the first journalist killed this year in the war torn country, (Courtesy)

By: Abdirahman Khalif

MOGADISHU—Abdirisaq Qasim Iman, a cameraman working for privately owned Somali Broadcasting Services (SBS), was shot dead on Thursday, July 26 afternoon by a police officer in the country’s capital city, Mogadishu.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said on Friday the incident happened when a man clad in police uniform at a checkpoint (road inspection place) shot Abdirizak Iimaan on the head in Hamar Jajab neighbourhood of Mogadishu.

“This is a shocking murder and we demand the government gives top priority to bringing the killer to justice. We are tired of few meaningless words of regret and a cursory inquiry. Family and colleagues of Abdirisaq Qasim Iman must receive justice,” said Omar Faruk Osman, the secretary-general of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).

SBS TV Director in Mogadishu Mohamud Dhakane Nur confirmed the killing of Iimaan, saying the late journalist was riding a Bajaj (motorcyle taxi) when he was shot and killed.

“Indeed we don’t know yet why he was killed,” Mohamud added.

The killing of Abdirizak becomes the first incident in which a media practitioner has been killed in Somalia in 2018.

According to the non-governmental organization Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 60 Somali journalists have been killed since 1992, with 44 of those  murdered by terrorist groups  and 37 by government officials.

Last year, Mohamed Ibrahim Gabow, a Somali journalist working for Kalsan TV was killed in front of his children.

 

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