Journalist is stabbed to death in Puntland

Reporters Without Borders today voiced its deep distress at the murder yesterday of Abdullahi Omar Gedi, aged 25, a journalist on Radio Daljir in Galkayo, capital of the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia. Gedi was set on as he was on his way home from work and stabbed six times in the body and legs and died while he was being taken to hospital. His assailants fled with his mobile phone. “We condemn this attack and the death of this young journalist”, the worldwide press freedom organisation said. “No motive has so far been put forward and no suspects arrested. We urge the authorities in Puntland to do their utmost to shed light on this case”, it added. Reporters Without Borders said there has been a serious deterioration in working conditions for journalists in Puntland. At the end of 2009, Mohammed Yasin Isak, correspondent in the region for Voice of America, was first attacked by police and then wounded in a shooting after he was stopped at a checkpoint. Director of Horseed Radio FM, Abdifatah Jama Mire, was on 14 August sentenced to six years in prison for broadcasting an interview with a rebel chief with links to al-Qaeda. For more information . Abdullahi Omar Gedi is the third journalist to be killed in Somalia since the start of 2010. Barkhat Awale, director of Radio Hurma, was killed by a stray bullet while he and a technician were up on the roof of his radio in Mogadishu on 24 August. For more information . Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey, a journalist on Radio Mogadiscio, was killed by armed men on 4 May 2010 as he returned to his home in the capital. For more information .