Hassan Gallaydh becomes the 47th journalist detained during the Irro administration.
Hargeisa (SLpost)- Somaliland journalist Hassan Galleydh has been detained, according to local media reports, after he was reportedly arrested while in the city of Gabiley and transferred to Hargeisa.
Galleydh is currently being held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Hargeisa, according to information available to Somaliland Post.
The reason for his detention has not yet been officially disclosed, and Somaliland security authorities have not issued a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
His detention comes amid growing controversy over the arrest and detention of journalists in Somaliland, particularly the case of journalist Abdiqani Hussein Abokor, widely known as Baylood, who has been detained since August 29 following an interview with local poet Ismail Yusuf Abdi, also known as Jiheeye.
Galleydh had recently spoken publicly about Baylood’s detention, describing the handling of the case as unjust and questioning the reasons behind his continued imprisonment.
He also reminded President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) of his position on the detention of journalists when he was in opposition, including his visits to journalists held in Somaliland’s prisons at the time.
Baylood was detained after publishing an interview with Jiheeye, who made allegations concerning the seizure of land near the residence of President Irro in Hargeisa.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) crtitized the detension of journalist Baylood who published the interview on August 27, and was detained two days later after responding to a summons from the CID. He briefly appeared before the Marodi-Jeh Regional Court and was remanded for seven days pending investigation.
CPJ called for Baylood’s immediate release, saying he had been held without formal charges since August 29. The press-freedom organization said Baylood had “joined a long list of journalists in Somaliland who have been detained and held under dubious circumstances in recent months.”
The detention of Galleydh therefore comes just days after the international press-freedom organization publicly raised concerns about the treatment of journalists in Somaliland.
Somaliland opposition figures and members of the House of Representatives have also criticized the detention of journalists. MP Mohamed Hussein Raambo previously said that Baylood was the 46th journalist detained by the administration of President Irro since it came to power.
According this figure, Hassan Galleydh becomes the 47th journalist detained during the Irro administration.
The detention also comes as President Irro and a delegation accompanying him are in the United States on an official visit, adding further attention to questions surrounding Somaliland’s record on freedom of expression and press freedom.
Somaliland MP Dr. Essa Kayd Mahmoud has previously criticized the government over the detention of journalists and restrictions on freedom of expression. The former foreign minister has questioned the apparent contrast between Somaliland’s campaign for international recognition as a democratic state and allegations of restrictions on civil and political freedoms at home.
The latest detention is likely to add to scrutiny of Somaliland’s press-freedom record at a time when the government is seeking greater international diplomatic support and recognition.
As of publication, Somaliland authorities have not publicly stated why Hassan Galleydh was detained or whether formal charges have been filed against him.
Reporting by Somalilandpost News
