Khatumo Journalists Association (KHAJA) Condemns the killing of Journalist Ahmed Farah Ilyas and calls on the Silanyo Administration to bring forth these Murderers

In a press conference released this morning in Mogadishu, the President of Khatumo Journalists Association (KHAJA) Suleiman Hashi Dheere expressed grave concerns about the death of fellow Journalist Ahmed Farah Ilyas who was assassinated yesterday in Lasanod City. Suleiman sent his prayers, sympathies and condolences to the family of Ahmed Farah and to all Jouranlists in Somalia specially those in Khatumo State.

“It was only four nights ago when Ahmed told me on the phone how he felt scared after having been arrested on Oct. 12th 2012 by the Lasanod Administration” stated Suleiman. Constant threats and abuse of power was exercised by this administration due to his stance on freedom of press in support of the women of Lasanod” added Suleiman.

Additionally, “The Lasanod Administration sent an invitation yesterday to all Journalists in the city allegedly for a press conference. However, the Journalists including Ahmed Farah have boycotted this invitation in retaliation and for fear of their lives due to the arrests and the abuse the journalists suffered at the hands of ruthless police and military personnel on Oct. 12^th” continued Suleiman.

While Khatumo Journalists Association plans to conduct its own independent investigation on the cause of death of their Journalist Ahmed Farah Ilyas, KHAJA calls on Human Rights organizations, Amnesty International, and Press organizations including IFJ, IAJ to condemn and demand that the perpetrators and murderers who [according to Suleiman] could be hiding behind military compounds in Lasanod] be brought to justice.

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