Somali Journalists Syndicate Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin has been re-arrested by Somali National Intelligence Agency (NISA), two days after he was released on bail.

The officers pounced on Mr Mumin at the airport where he was scheduled to travel to Nairobi, Kenya for medical treatment.

“At about 5 p.m., NISA officials at the airport arrested Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, who was heading to Nairobi. Then, NISA transferred Abdalle to the police, and he is currently held at the CID headquarters,” asserted Mohamed Ibrahim, president of the Somali Journalists Syndicate.

“Abdalle was denied [permission] to meet with his lawyers and to meet with his people. He is being kept incommunicado. As [the] Somali Journalists Syndicate, we condemn the move, and we call upon the Somali government to immediately release Abdalle and stop harassing the media,” added Mr Ibrahim.

Mr Mumin had earlier been arrested on October 11 on what authorities described as security-related charges which include instigation of disobedience of the law, contempt of the state and failure to obey orders from authorities.

A government edict that forbade reporting on the terrorist group Al-Shabab has alarmed Somali journalists. They labeled the restriction as another means of stifling free speech.

European Press Agency photojournalist Said Yusuf called on the government to give the media freedom of expression.

“Recently, the government has exerted pressure on the media, particularly private media. The media was suppressed when it comes to getting information, and now targeted arrests have been started. What is good for the media is to get the freedom of expression. Therefore, we call for media freedom of expression,” VOA quoted Mr Yusuf to have said.

In the same vein, Abdullahi Hassan, a conflict researcher for Amnesty International condemned Mr Mumin’s arrest, labeling it as a “blatant disregard for the rule of law.”

“The continued persecution of Abdalle Mumin just days after he was released on bail by the Banadir Regional Court demonstrates Somali authorities’ blatant disregard for the rule of law and lack of respect for freedom of expression. Abdalle has committed no crime and must be immediately and unconditionally released,” Mr Hassan said.

“Targeting a prominent defender of human rights and press freedom under the guise of national security sends a chilling message to journalists, human rights activists and anyone else who dares to criticize authorities,” he added.