Shaashaa is the owner of local City FM radio and works as correspondent for the Nairobi-based RTN Somali TV channel was imprisoned in December 28 and was accused of reporting critically on Hirshabelle authorities and misappropriating money he collected from the public after Ocober 14 deadly attack in Mogadishu, both charges were dropped by the court in Jowhar town 90 KM north of Mogadishu. Human Rights Journalists had repeatedly called for his release.

The Secretary General of Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) Abdulkadir Farah Dulyar had communicated with the vice President of Hirshabelle authorities to express our concern and to appeal for the release of the journalist.

"We are extremely relieved that Abdishakur Shaashaa was released yesterday after nearly 12 days in jail," said Chairman of Human Rights Journalists, Ismail Sheikh Khalifa. "His arrest violated The freedom of expression enshrined in article 18 of the Constitution that provides for the right of every person, including journalists, the freedom to seek, receive and impart information or ideas; freedom of artistic creativity and academic freedom and freedom of scientific research. We hope everyone will abide by the law and this will be the last incident of authorities jailing a journalist for covering a story." He added.

The Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) reminds Hirshabelle authorities and other federal member states that there are laws in place relating to the regulation of media and broadcasting standards. In the event, that the broadcast was in any way in violation of the law, the mechanisms established by law to resolve disputes or to hold accountable those that violate the law, should be used.

The Human Rights Journalists (HRJ) finally calls on Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states to respect press freedom and freedom of expression in Somalia..