The Appeals Court commenced the Hearing of the Somali Journalist's Appeal against the verdict
MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 21, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The appeals court in Mogadishu started the hearing of the appeal of the Somali journalist, Abdiasis Abdinur Ibrahim who was sentenced to 1 year for interviewing a woman who was that she was raped.
The hearing which started around 11:10am on Wednesday morning started in an atmosphere which the Somali journalists felt that “It was properly handled and conducted.” The defense lawyers were allowed to defend in front of the law the journalist and the woman alleged that she was gang raped by the Somali security forces and were allowed to present documents and witnesses. The defense lawyers were allowed to submit the documents and the presiding judge Hassan Mohamed Ali, closed the court session announcing that the witnesses from the defense lawyers will be heard on next Wednesday, 27 February, 2013.
The regional court on February denied the journalist's lawyer to defend and present to the judge documents clearing from the journalist from what he has been accused for and sentenced him to one year in prison.
“We are pleased with the way the procedure of the hearing was conducted.” Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists said, “We urge the appeals court to continue the hearing in a fairly manner, which we believe our colleague, Abdiasis Koronto will get his freedom back.”
In a separate incident, the National Union of Somali Journalists
(NUSOJ) conducted a workshop on Media Law consultation meeting last Monday which all the media stakeholders including the directors, the editors, the journalists attended. They raised their concerns and pointed out the number of the articles the media stakeholders suggested to be considered as an amendment. The Meeting which hosted by Somalia South and Central Non-State Actors (SOSCENSA) suggested another follow-up meeting to be hosted by SOSCENSA on Thursday which Law experts will be invited.
The Ministry of Information, Posts, Telecommunication and Transport launched the media and communication Law consultative process in a two day workshop held at the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu, which the Ministry handed over the media law to the stakeholders to have their input.