Puntland president pardons Hiiraan Online journalist
MOGADISHU: The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has welcomed the release of the Hiiraan Online journalist by the Puntland government on Sunday, 31 July 2011 from Bosaso prison. Faysal Mohamed Hassan, a reporter for the local Somali website, Hiiraan Online was released on Sunday morning after the president of Puntland, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole pardoned him, after spending a month in jail.
He was arrested on 29 June; on 2 July he appeared before a first level court. Members of his family, journalists and the Supreme Council president of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) attended the hearing.
The National union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has been meeting with the minister of information, his deputies and presidential staff members for the release of the journalist.
"We are tremendously glad and welcome the release of the journalist, Feysal," Burhaan Daahir, the president of the NUSOJ Supreme council said. "We hope and urge the Puntland authorities to improve the freedom of the press."
