By HAN News Desk
HARGEISA — Journalist Ahmed Zaki Ibrahim, who was arrested on the night of Feb. 22 at the offices of Warrame Media, was brought before the Maroodijeex Regional Court on Monday morning, according to a statement from the Somali Journalists Association (SOLJA).
The court ordered that the journalist be held in seven days of pre-trial detention (remand) while authorities continue their investigation into the case.
According to SOLJA, the journalist was taken on Sunday afternoon to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Hargeisa. However, the association said it has not yet received clear confirmation about the exact location where Ibrahim was held during the night of his arrest, raising concerns about whether proper legal procedures were followed.
The media rights organization expressed concern over the circumstances of the arrest and detention, noting that the lack of transparency about the journalist’s whereabouts has created uncertainty regarding adherence to due process.
SOLJA reiterated its call for authorities to fully respect legal procedures and ensure that the journalist’s rights are protected during his detention. The organization also emphasized the importance of safeguarding press freedom and freedom of expression, urging officials to handle the case in line with national laws and international standards related to the protection of journalists.
The case comes amid ongoing concerns raised by media watchdog groups about the treatment of journalists and the operating environment for independent media in Somaliland.
SOLJA said it will continue monitoring the situation closely and called on relevant authorities to provide clarity about the case and guarantee the safety and rights of the detained journalist.
