Somalia / Radio Journalist Wounded in Shooting

Somalia / Radio Journalist Wounded in Shooting

MOGADISHU, November 3, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) expresses grave concerns for the continued violence and targeting of journalists after a radio journalist was shot and wounded in Afgoi desrtict of lower Shabelle region.

Five masked assailants with pistols attacked Hassan Mohamed Abikar known as Hassan Matoor on Tuesday night, 2 November, while he was on his way home in Afgoi District, 30km southwest of the capital city, an insurgent controlled area. Abikar was shot four times in the chest and hands, and left unconscious, but luckily he was confirmed alive and was rushed to Dayniile Hospital, northwest of the Capital, accrodign to his family.

Hassan Mohamed Abikar, who is a freelance radio journalists based in Afgoi, worked several Radio stations in Mogadishu as stringer. It is not yet clear why he was attacked and the insurgent group Hisbul Islam that controls the district did not comment on the reason behind the attack of the journalist.

Source: National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

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