Hayaan Media Development said in a statement issued on 25 December 2009 that it is strongly condemning the arrest of the VOA Somali section reporter  Mohamed Yasin Isak in the Somalia’s northeast autonomous region of Puntland as illegal and total violation against the free media.

Heavily armed soldiers from Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS) raided the house of Isak in Galkacyo town on 21 December 2009 where they put him in jail, according to locals.

Chairman of HDM Mohamed Abdi Farah said the detained journalist has earlier been a victim where he was wounded by the Puntland soldiers. “This indicates that Puntland is fighting against the free press. Puntland should stop the culture of silencing the media,” he added.

 “Puntland had been expecting to be a safe place for the displaced journalists but it should not be home of harassing the media people,” Hayaan chairman said.

Farah is demanding for immediate release of the VOA reporter who is still in the prison for nearly week and calling for the Puntland administration to respect the freedom of speech and activities of the independent media.

By HDM