Somalia - Media Safety

Journalist gravely injured

Source : NUSOJ 08.02.2009

Original Headline: Journalist Gravely Injured

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemns violent attack on journalist Hassan Bulhan Ali, Director of Radio Abudwaq in Abudwaq town of Galgadud region in Central Somalia.

A man with knife attacked Hassan Bulhan on Saturday, 7 February 2009, at a tribal reconciliation meeting. The attacker, who is known in Abudwaq, stabbed Hassan Bulhan five times at the stomach and heart, according to family members and journalists at the sight of the attack.

In line with the information from journalists in Abudwaq, the attacker who was escaped from the scene accused the journalist that he was making biased reporting from the clan of the attacker, which is one of the two clans that were being reconciled in this meeting.

Hassan Bulhan Ali, 38, whose situation very serious was rushed to Galkayo towm, where he was admitted last night to Galkayo hospital.

“We denounce this aggressive and hurtful attack on Hassan Bulhan Ali,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “We demand the clan elders to punish the known attacker.”

Hassan Bulhan Ali was also freelancing for other Radio stations in the country. “Violent attacks against journalists followed by impunity are deplorable”.

NUSOJ