Somali security agents stormed and shut down two radio stations, beat and detained reporters, and impounded their equipment, their union said. The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said the raid in Mogadishu on Saturday was connected to stories Radio Shabelle and SkyFM, both part of the Shabelle Media Network, had aired touching on accusations of corruption within government. Police said they were carrying out an eviction order after the network failed to vacate the government-owned building. Both stations were housed in the same building, which also served as a residence for the journalists.
"They did not follow the order to abandon the government building," Colonel Abdikadir Mohamed, a senior police officer told Reuters.