MOGADISHU – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of two journalists in Adaado town, Galmudug State, on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, following their reporting on the alleged rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Adaado town.
SJS member journalist Hashim Omar Hassan and another journalist, Hassan Yusuf Qasaaro, were arrested after publishing news about the case of an eight-year-old girl whose strangled body was discovered on the night of Monday, 4 August, at the family’s home in Adaado, according to police sources.
The two journalists, citing police sources, reported that the child had been “subjected to prolonged sexual abuse and that her death appeared to be a murder”.
Both journalists were arrested at the Adaado Police Station.
On the same day, a woman claiming to be the mother of the victim appeared in a video posted online, providing a conflicting statement about the incident. However, police later arrested the woman along with other suspects.
A source in Adaado told SJS that a local government official had ordered the arrest of the journalists and had also pressured the woman to record the contradictory video.
The journalists, who have since been released, told SJS that the local authorities were attempting to cover up the incident in order to “protect the reputation of the local government.”
SJS expresses deep concern over the arrest of the journalists in what appears to be an attempt to suppress reporting on a matter of public interest. We are also alarmed by reports that a local poet with connection to authorities used social media to incite harm against journalist Hashim Omar Hassan, accusing him of “shaming the town.”
On Wednesday, 6 August, gunmen reportedly associated with one of the suspects attacked police officers who were escorting a suspect to Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug, for further investigation. According to local media reports, at least one police officer was killed and several others injured. The suspect himself is said to have sustained injuries during the violent clash.
This alleged rape and murder marks the second such case in Adaado in recent months. While violence against women and girls continues to happen under-reported across Somalia, SJS is dismayed that local authorities are targeting the very brave journalists covering such cases instead of focusing on investigating the crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.
“The arrest of journalists simply for reporting a brutal crime against a child is both outrageous and unacceptable,” said Abdalle Mumin, SJS Secretary General, “Instead of protecting press freedom and allowing journalists to report on issues of public concern—such as the rape and murder of a child—local authorities in Adaado chose to silence them. This is a clear attempt to cover up a heinous crime and intimidate the media.”
“We call for the Galmudug authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the incident, including the intimidation of the journalists and the misuse of power by local officials,” adds Mr. Mumin.