ASOJ, SHOW CONCERN ON THE ARREST OF UNIVERSAL TV CREW BY THE TFG.

09/04/2004 Mogadishu Report

Associated Somali Journalists are very concerned the arrest of Universal Television crew Sunday in Mogagishu by Somali Interim Government officials.

The crew which was director of Universal TV office in Mogadishu Abdulkadir Ashir Nadara, a Cameraman and the reporter were detained after tried covering a news conference by Spokesman of the Somali President Hussein Mohamed "Hubsireed"at Ambasador hotel.

In news conference Abdulkadir Nadara asked the spokesman a question and the spokesman replied with anger .

'You are terrorist "he said to me" said Nadara after he and his crew were detained at a detention center at the Mogadishu International Airport.

The Somali government did not give any comment about the arrest of these Somali Journalists doing the routine job as Journalist on the mandate of the public to be informed.

ASOJ, request from the Somali Interim Federal Government for immediate release of the Universal Television crew arrested ordered by the Somali President's spokesman, as confirmed by sources close to him .

Also, we are calling for the Somali government respect Freedom of Expression and stop the apprehension and arrests of the Somali Journalists

Universal Television , Somali TV news based in London, Uk founded and invested by Somali Businessmen

Dahir Abdulle Alasow

ASOJ Chairman

Daahiralasow@yahoo.com

asoj@asoj.org