SOMPED Condemns the Attack on Three Radio Stations in Galka’yo Town of Mudug Region

Press Release No: 002-16/Jan/2010

SOMPED Condemns the Attack on Three Radio Stations in Galka’yo Town of Mudug Region

Somali Media Peace and Developments (SOMPED) has today condemned the attack on three radio stations in the Galka’yo town, the provincial capital of Mudug region.

“We condemn the attack which was targeted three radio stations in Galka’yo town on Friday night of 15 January 2010, this is aggression and unacceptable attack and it is attack on press freedom”, SOMPED’s chairman Farah Ahmed Atto said in a press release.

On Friday night of 15 January unidentified assailants had thrown hand grenades on three radio stations located in Galka’yo town injuring three persons whom include two local journalists and security guard.

The attack which the assailants targeted the three stations had also caused damage on two of the radio stations.

“The attack was targeted Radio Galka’yo, Radio Voice of Mudug and Radio Hobyo and it seems it was organized aiming to cause heavy damage on the journalists operating in these stations”, Mr. Atto said.

“No one can accept any attack against free media in the country and we call for urgent investigation on the assailants”, he added.

No group had claimed the attack still while the police commander in the region had said they were investigating the case.

SOMPED’s chairman wishes good health and best recovery to all three wounded persons who two of them were journalists from Radio Voice of Mudug.

SOMPED chairman had called the Puntland and Galmudug administrations, which both run the two sides of the Galka’yo town to fully undertake the security of the media individuals and their stations and prevent any cruel act against them.

For More information contact SOMPED Chairman Farah Ahmed Atto at 00614 733-9396 or caato@somped.org.