By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The Hubaal media group newspapers are now legally free to hit the streets.
The Somaliland head of state President Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo has pardoned the Hubaal media group that has been out of circulation for a couple of months.
This was informed through a presidential decree released from the presidency in Hargeisa in which the head of state informed that the reprieve of the Hubaal media group and two of its senior journalists came upon a request by the Somaliland Journalists Association as well as the proprietors of the group.
Hubaal was stopped from publishing by a court order and its Chief Editor and Editor sentenced to 1 and 2 years imprisonment respectively and a fine imposed as well.
In his decree # JSL/M/XM/249-1981/082013 granting a stay of execution of the Hargeisa regional court #MGH/DDL/598/013 ee 03/07/2013 which was exercised in accordance with section 149 of the penal code and in powers conferred by Article 90 section 5 of the constitution and in consideration of a request by the Somaliland Journalists Association and the Hubaal media group, it is decreed that:
As from this day of the 18th August 2013 the Hubaal media group has been given a special presidential pardon which grants a stay of execution in relation to
1. The Sentence of one year imprisonment and a fine 2 million Somaliland shillings imposed on the chief editor of Hubaal media group Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Jama ‘Alole’ by the Hargeisa regional court
2. The Sentence of two years imprisonment and a fine 2 million Somaliland shillings imposed on the editor of Hubaal newspaper Mr. Hasan Hussein Abdilahi ‘Keef-Keef’ by the Hargeisa regional court and
3. The order proscribing the publishing of Hubaal media group newspapers.
