[Presenter] A local human right organization in Beled Weyne [central Somalia] has today condemned mistreatment of Journalist Awke Ali Jimale by Transitional Federal Government forces in Hiiraan Region. Our reporter Nur Inji sent this report from Beled Weyne.

[Inji] Journalist Awke Ali Jim'ale alias Awke Yare of HornAfrik Radio in Beled Weyne suffered injuries after government forces beat him accusing him of reporting what they were not pleased with. The soldiers hit him with a gun on the chest and face causing serious facial injuries. He was admitted to Beled Weyne where seven stitches were attached on his face. Awke Yare spoke to Holy Koran Radio today.

[Awke Yare] I was on duty by then and was walking close by as they were doing an operation in the area. I was going to the radio station and wanted to cover operations of government forces. They arrested me and chased away local residents and asked me where I had come from. I told them that I came from work and I was going to the radio station. I showed them my identity card. They told me to sit down and then came back in a group and started hitting me with the butt of the gun on my back. I told them that I was a journalist and they should leave me alone. One of them hit me on the head with his gun. I suffered a cut on the head and they threw me on their pick-up and later dropped me after a short a distance. A motorist helped me and brought me to the hospital [passage omitted].

Source: Holy Koran Radio, Mogadishu, in Somali 1830 gmt 7 Oct 07

BBC Mon AF1 AFEau 071007 ain/is

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