Alinur Salaad, journalist and head of Dawan TV, was detained by regional police in Mogadishu on 22 July on charges of false reporting and insulting the armed forces. Following his court appearance on 23 July, Salaad was remanded in custody for 45 days pending investigation and potential charges. Both the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) have condemned his arrest as an assault on press freedom, demanding his immediate release.
Salaad’s arrest came shortly after a viral video report published on Dawan TV and his social media, in which he accused Somali soldiers of trading khat, leading to charges of false reporting and insulting the armed forces. Known for his sensitive reporting on national security, Salaad is currently held at the Waberi Police Station.
The journalist’s detention has been widely condemned by colleagues and media organizations. NUSOJ has called for Salaad’s immediate and unconditional release, denouncing the arrest as a politically motivated effort to silence a critical media voice. The union views the detention as a response to Salaad’s reports on the khat trade involving Somali soldiers and possible political involvement.
Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General, commented, “Arresting a journalist without sufficient legal justification or due process for telling uncomfortable truths is completely unacceptable, and we condemn it in the strongest terms possible. It is the job of journalists to bring issues of public interest to the public eye and scrutinize them.”
Tim Dawson, IFJ Deputy General Secretary, emphasized, “The authorities must uphold press freedom and ensure journalists can work safely. Journalists must highlight issues of public interest and hold power to account. They should not face arrest for their reporting. Journalism is not a crime.”
