Jama Ayanle, who works for the news website www.laasqorey.com, was arrested in Bossasso on Thursday, 26 March, by Puntland police, following the orders of Puntland’s Deputy Police Commissioner Mohamed Said Jaqanaf. 

The deputy police commissioner informed the journalist upon the arrest that he is being arrested for publishing false information. The police chief did not specify what the allegedly false information is.

Puntland’s Minister of Information and His deputy Minister told NUSOJ that they were not informed, neither about the arrest nor the allegations against the journalist, but asked the police to release him. The police has turned down the request.  Other sources have told NUSOJ that Puntland’s Interior Minister Abullahi Jama Ilkajir is involved in the case of, after having complained to the police about Jama’s reports.

“We are deeply concerned about these unfounded allegations against Jama Ayanle. The Puntland police has a history of threatening and arresting journalists solely on the grounds of their independent reporting” said Omar Faruk Osman, right, NUSOJ Secretary General. “If no tangible proof to substantiate the allegations against Jama Ayanle Feyte can be presented, the journalist must be released and enabled to continue his work freely,” Omar Faruk added.