Puntland Presidential candidates torture journalists

[Fall]

GAROWE, Somalia Dec.25, 2013 (Garowe Online)-As Puntland state in northern Somalia braces up for the most hotly contested presidential election, Presidential contender's guards subjected torture and what appeared as death threats to Somali TV reporter in the capital Garowe on Wednesday morning, Garowe Online reports.

Mahad Abdi Ali who works for UK-based Somali channel-SOMSAT was seized by soldiers guarding a building that houses Presidential candidate, Mohamed Abdinur during a meeting.

Speaking at at extraordinary media meeting which has been organized shortly after the atrocious incident, Ali said "I was beaten on the head and I have tissue injuries in some parts of my body".

"During the attack, my cell phone and my camera were also broken apart," he added.

The local reporters who gathered at Somali Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) compound have condemned Puntland Presidential contenders for running counter to the constitution and silencing the independent media.

Voicing concern over today's harsh treatment of the Presidential candidates' body guards, they said the move unveils that the contenders don't have any respect for the media members.

Photographic images taken from the scene of the incident show soldiers grabbing Ali down while other security guards cordoned -off the area.

Over ten Presidential contenders were holding special meeting at Nur's house when the torture occurred according to fellow journalists.

On the other hand, Puntland traditional leaders are still holding private discussions with President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and the opposition presidential candidates in an effort to ease vetting and conflict resolution committee deadlock.

http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/pub ... rter.shtml

[anzeloti]

As long as they stay up there in the dessert i dont mind it

[Gabre]

Garowe Online is a Faroole propaganda tool run by his close family.