On February 11, 2026, police in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, detained Himilo Somali TV camera operator Abdullaahi Mohamed Ali, also known as Saaweey, while he was filming a protest by local residents who said they had been displaced by land grabbing, the journalist and Ahmed Mohamed Adan, also known as Jubba, director of Himilo Somali TV, told CPJ.
Abdullaahi told CPJ that police accused him of filming, confiscated his equipment, and took him to the city’s Hamar Weyne Police Station. Abdullaahi said he was released after several hours without charge, after his employer intervened.
Abdullaahi said he has returned to work but continues to face pressure from Banadir Regional Police, who are responsible for Mogadishu.
CPJ emailed the Somali police requesting comment but did not receive a response.