The National Union of Somali Journalists is outraged by today's assassination of the Managing Director of HornAfrik Radio Ali Iman Sharmarke, after a vehicle that he was riding was blown up by a remote-controlled mine laid by unknown assailants as vehicle was part of a convoy that came back from the burial of journalist Mahad Ahmed Elmi, who was killed this morning in Mogadishu.

Journalist Sahal Abdulle who works with Reuters News Agency was injured in the detonation, as he was in same vehicle with Ali Iman Sharmarke. According to journalists from the burial, Ali's vehicle was in the middle of the convoy and the mine did not blow up with the vehicles that were ahead of the Ali's vehicle.

"We strongly condemn the assassination of Ali Iman Sharmarke" said Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of NUSOJ. "This wave of attack of killing and injuring media people is an intentionally organized mission to silence journalistic voice in Somalia". "We are entirely appalled by these acts that have had ill-motivated purposes".

Ali Iman is sixth media person killed so far this year. Sahal Abdulle is the fourth journalist so far injured this year in Somalia.

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