NUSOJ condemns killing of media worker in Mogadishu

Abdi Jeylani Malaq, known Marshaale, who works for Universal TV as television actor and producer, was attacked on 1 August 2012 at his home in Waberi district by three men armed with pistols who shot him in the head and both hands. He was immediately rushed to Madina hospital where he was declared dead after admission.

Marshaale, who was also a distinguished satirist and prominent member of national artists team of Waberi, was the author or brain behind several television dramas that were critical to Al-Shabaab for recruiting children as soldiers and targeted killings of intellectuals.

Campaign against freedom of expression

"We condemn the brutal and sickening murder of television actor and producer Abdi Jeylani Malaq (Marshaale). We believe that this is part of the deadly campaign against the basic human right of freedom of expression," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ secretary general. "Marshaale, a satirist, was killed for exercising his freedom to speak his mind, which includes the freedom to use humour."

In his television programmes, Marshaale made fun of the Al-Shabaab forces, sometimes indireclty, as well as armed militias who commit violence in the country as well as personalities of some politicians.

Marshaale is the seventh media worker killed in Somalia since January this year. Six journalists were so far this year murdered in Mogadishu, Beledweyne and Galkayo.