Somalia: Somaliland Govt shuts down Pro-Opposition FM station

HARGEISA, Somalia Nov 18, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Somaliland authorities shut down opposition-owned radio station in the latest crack down on dissidents in the capital, Hargeisa on Monday evening according to officials, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking at a press conference, Somaliland Police Commander-in-Chief Gen. Abdullahi Fadal Iman said the security forces took Baidigoob FM off the air in Hargeisa’s October neighborhood at 9:30 PM.

Gen. Iman added that the police also captured four broadcasters who will be arraigned in the court in the operation.

Baadigoob FM is believed to have been launched by opposition parties in Somaliland at the beginning of this year.

Somaliland constitution bars opposition from opening independent radio stations, a move slammed by international press watchdogs.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet.

GAROWE ONLINE