Despite regional court dismissed all the charges, a Somali journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul transferred to Mogadishu Prison on Thursday 28 September. The journalist was transferred from Hamar Jajab police station by armed officer’s affiliated with the Somali police and the national intelligence, according to Somalia based Kaab TV report.

Bulbul a journalist of Kaab TV was abducted from his university campus on August 17, 2023, a day after his news report exposed corruption allegations involving Somali police officers participating in a training seminar facilitated by the European Union Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP).

On Monday, September 25, the Banadir Regional Court dismissed all the seven charges pressed by the office of the Attorney General against Bulbul. The judge, in alignment with a preliminary objection presented by SJS legal team, underscored that journalism is not a crime.

Somali journalists Syndicate (SJS) deeply concerned about journalist Bulbul. The SJS General secretary Abdalle Ahmed Mumin said in a statement, ‘We vehemently condemn the ongoing harassment and unlawful incommunicado detention of Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, who is solely targeted for his journalism work in exposing police corruption. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of our colleague.’

https://twitter.com/sjs_Somalia/status/1707691364387864732

‘Since Monday, after the court judge dismissed the charges brought by the Attorney General, no official charges have been presented. We had anticipated our colleague Bulbul’s release. Regrettably, in disregard of the rule of law, those who are targeting Bulbul have opted to subject him to harassment, threats, and suffering’, said Mr. Mumin.

“If it holds any significance, the ongoing persecution of Bulbul and his transfer to a maximum-security prison on International Day for Universal Access to Information signals a bleak future for press freedom in Somalia.”

He said, ‘despite the persistent persecution and threats, SJS remains steadfast in its commitment to championing press freedom and freedom of expression, recognizing them as essential components of our society’s human rights.’

International community also concerned about journalist Bulbul. In a climate conference, Alec Luhn held up a sign demanding the release of Somali journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul.

https://twitter.com/AlecLuhn/status/1704975587272515710

International Federation of Journalists also concerned and call for immediate release of journalist Bulbul. In a statement IFJ Deputy General Secretary Tim Dawson said, “We condemn the arbitrary arrest of Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul’s that is designed to silence and stop him from exposing alleged corruption and preventing him from carrying out his journalistic duties. Somali people deserve a free press and journalists on the ground must be able to work without fear of interference and in safe working conditions. We call for the immediate release of our colleague and the launch of an investigation into the case.”