Somaliland reporter released after five days of imprisonment

 UPDATE 

July 19, 2007Original Alert: July 18, 2007

Abdirahman Mohammed Habane, Jamhuuriya

IMPRISONED

Habane, a correspondent of the Somali-language daily Jamhuuriya in Borama, the capital of the northwestern Awdal region of Somaliland, was released without charge following negotiations between rights groups and a local clean leader, according to the Somaliland Journalists Association and local journalists. The reporter was held for five days and released July 19.

Habane was arrested in connection with a story reporting a clash between supporters and opponents the clan leader during a ritual ceremony making him sultan.

Jamhuuriya journalists have been harassed and detained in recent years for critical coverage of the government.