MM-TV Chairman Mohamed Abdi Sheikh Ilig is in prison for 15 days.
— MM Somali TV (@MMSomalitv) January 20, 2024
No charges have been filed against him yet and he has not been brought before a civil court.
The constitution of #Somaliland mandates that within 48 hours before a citizen's court, but without a court he is… pic.twitter.com/37oP7mailG
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On 6th January 2024, Somaliland security forces violently raided MM Somali TV, assaulting journalists and staff and damaging equipment during an ongoing live broadcast debate about the contentious agreement that escalated diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia (See general update section). They blindfolded, detained, and took CEO and founder Mohamed Abdi Ilig, reporter Andar and cameraman Ilyas Abdinasir to an undisclosed location. On 9th January 2024, authorities released the latter without filing any charges; however, at the time of writing, Ilig continues to be detained without charge. Over the years, targeting journalists who cover sensitive topics has been a continuous trend in the Somaliland region.