Wednesday 5,March 2025 {HMC} Social media commentator and political blogger Ali Adan Mumin has been released after spending two nights in police custody following his arrest on accusations of threatening national security and defaming government officials. His detention sparked widespread criticism from lawmakers and press freedom advocates.
Mumin was detained on March 1 by officers from the Hamar-Weyne District Police Command, with authorities alleging he used social media platforms to incite public unrest and criticize national leaders. The Somali Police Force stated that he would be presented in court, but his release suggests that either the charges were dropped, bail was granted, or further investigation is ongoing.
Officials have not clarified the circumstances surrounding his release.
The arrest drew condemnation from several Somali lawmakers, including Member of Parliament Mursal M. Khaliif, who argued that detaining independent journalists undermines democratic principles.
“The arbitrary arrest of independent journalists is a travesty to democracy! While I mostly disagree with this journalist, Mr. Ali Mumin, his constitutional right to free speech is worth defending because it’s the right thing to do,” Khaliif stated.
Somalia is ranked among the most dangerous countries for journalists, with media workers frequently facing threats, arbitrary arrests, and violence. Human rights organizations have long criticized the government’s approach to press freedom, warning that the suppression of dissenting voices threatens democratic values. Authorities maintain that Mumin’s arrest was in line with national security laws and have warned against spreading content that could “destabilize the country.”
