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Alert

Al-Shabaab militants arrest radio journalist in southern Somalia

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is deeply concerned about the arrest of a radio journalist in the Wanlaweyn district of the Lower Shabelle region on 21 February 2010.

Ali Yusuf Adan, a correspondent for Radio Somaliweyn in the Lower Shabelle region, was arrested by the Al-Shabaab administration in the region and was later transferred to a prison in the town of Merca, the headquarters of the Lower Shabelle region. Al-Shabaab did not announce the motives behind the journalist's arrest.

"Our reporter, Ali Yusuf, was arrested by the Al-Shabaab administration and now he is being held in Merca," Abukar Hassan Kadaf, the director of Radio Somaliweyn, told NUSOJ.

The arrest follows a report filed on 20 February by the journalist about Al-Shabaab militias who shot a man over a prayer delay in Wanlaweyn. It is believed that this report might be the reason for his arrest.

"We are concerned about the safety of Ali Yusuf Adan. We demand the safe return of the journalist. Al-Shabaab must stop these repressive actions," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ secretary general.

Despite censorship and edicts imposed by the Al-Shabaab that have led many journalists to flee the territories under their control, many other journalists are still working under these harsh conditions.