By Jeff Mwaura, jeff@alleastafrica.com
NAIROBI – Somalia’s security forces have arrested a freelance photographer as well as vlogger in the Somali capital, in the latest arrest of a journalist in a country where journalists are routinely arrested and murdered for their work , sources say .
Mukhtar Nur, was arrested on Thursday as he left the UAE embassy where he works as photographer on Thursday, a Mogadishu-based Radio Dalsan reported.
No reason has been given for the arrest of the journalist. Somali officials declined commented on journalist’s arrests. Mr. Nur is currently being held at a prison controlled by Somalia’s intelligence in Mogadishu, journalists say.
Local media watchdogs condemned the latest arrest and called for the immediate release of the journalist.
Harassment and intimidation against journalists have been a major concern among journalists based in Somalia who have also seen waves of arrests and intimidation by local authorities in recent years.
For years, there has been a tense relationship between the government and independent media.
Rights groups and media watchdogs have repeatedly urged Somali officials to ensure that independent media outlets are not harassed, and to allow journalists to practice their profession without fear of retaliation.
(Alleastafrica reporter in Nairobi, Kenya contributed to this report)
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