In a continuation of press violations in Somalia, an independent radio station was targeted with mortars in the capital Mogadishu while a regional government official slapped a radio reporter and briefly jailed him.

Mohamed Ali Irole, director of Mogadishu-based Codka Nabada ("Peace Voice") radio, told reporters on Saturday that one of his reporters was wounded when a mortar shell hit part of the building.

It was not clear whether or not Codka Nabada radio was intentionally targeted, but several mortars hit different parts of Mogadishu last night. At least four civilians were wounded by the shells, local sources reported.

The director of Codka Nabada radio, which recently launched its Mogadishu operation, dismissed unsubstantiated rumors that the station is owned by Hussein Mohamed "Hubsired," the spokesman for Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf.

"Codka Nabada is an independent radio station that plays a neutral role in the Somali conflict," said Mr. Irole.

Meanwhile, in northern Somalia's Puntland region, radio reporter Abdihakim Yusuf was slapped by Puntland's deputy security minister, Ibrahim Artan Haji Bakin, witnesses said.

Yusuf went to the regional headquarters to follow up on a story when Minister Bakin slapped him and ordered guards to arrest the reporter, who works for the independent Bossaso-based Somali Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).

The SBC correspondent was later released and Puntland Information Minister Abdirahman Bangah issued an official apology, SBC reported.

Source: Garoweonline.com in English 26 Jan 08

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