Court Accepts Defence Arguments in Case of British Journalist Busharo Detained in Somaliland: Prosecution to Appeal
JUSTICE ABROAD
“Here When You Need Us”
Justice Abroad’s Director Michael Polak is acting with a Somalilan Lawyer in the case of Busharo Ali Mohamed(popularly known as Busharo Baanday) a popular journalist who was arrested, beaten, and detained by Somaliland authorities on 15 May 2023.
On 18 July 2023, Busharo appeared in Court where the Judge agreed with arguments made by her local lawyer that the joint charges she faces with a number of other potential defendants, who are not present in Somaliland, should be separated.
The British national remains in detention. The actions taken against Busharo relate to her reports on Somaliland politics as a journalist on her Facebook page.
Upon the defence application, the court ordered that the charge sheet be changed by the prosecution to separate the allegations against Bushaaro from those of other journalists who are in exile. The Prosecutor has lodged an appeal against the Court's order and the this matter will now go before the Appeal Court. A date for that hearing has not yet been given.
The proceedings against Busharo follow reports that Busharo was arrested after crossing the border from Ethiopia to Somaliland and that she was kicked and slapped during her arrest causing injuries to her face and leg.
Justice Abroad’s Michael Polak:
The charges against Busharo are clearly aimed at silencing critical voices in Somaliland who speak up about the political situation there and are a breach of the right to freedom of expression in international law.
We call on the Somaliland authorities to release Busharo and drop the case against her.
On social media we will be using the hashtag #FreeBusharo
Media requests for interviews with Michael Polak can be accommodated in any language requested and should be made by contacting Justice Abroad by email at contact@JusticeAbroad.co.uk or phone on +44 (0)203 488 2316.
Notes to Editors
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