Journalist Kilwe still held in Garowe

Ahmed Kilwe, managing editor of Puntland One website was arrested by counterterrorism forces earlier July in relation to his post criticized Puntland President he published on his Facebook account.

In its statement, issued on July 7, 2017, The Media Association of Puntland (MAP) condemned the arrest of journalist Kilwe and expressed deep concern for the freedom of expression of journalists who are experiencing unlawful arrest.

”It is not the first time that the Puntland authorities have offensively used power to arrest a journalist, in all similar previous cases journalists were arrested by the security with orders from top state officials”, adding “we have always called the Puntland authorities to practice and respect of the Puntland constitutional provision on freedom of expression but seems the authorities have repeatedly ignored our calls.” MAP said in the statement.

Similarly, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded Puntland to release immediately journalist Kilwe and allow him to work without fear of reprisal, CPJ said in statement.

Several journalists were arrested in Puntland in the past few years, raising concerns over the freedom of journalists working in the state.