| Description |
An American-German citizen reported to be a freelance journalist was kidnapped by gunmen while on its way between Galkacyo South and the Galkacyo airstrip in the early afternoon of 21/01. The perpetrators are reported to be part of a pirate group, from the Sa'ad/Niimcaale sub-sub clan. The victim was reportedly travelling in a vehicle belonging to a pirate associated to Mohamed Garfanje, a pirate leader based in Hobyo. The attackers were using a technical and two Land-Cruisers also reported to be belonging to a lieutenant of Mohamed Garfanje. It is believed that the perpetrators benefited from the complicity of the escort used by the victim and were in fact part of the escort the journalist had used when travelling to Hobyo. A Somali-German national who was assisting the journalist and who was trying to protect him was beaten and left on the scene. The victim is believed to have been taken in the direction of Hobyo or Xarar-Dhere. Separate reports indicate that an attempt to kidnap the journalist had already been made when he was staying in Ambassador Hotel in Galkacyo South, before he travelled to Hobyo, but that the management of the hotel had been informed in advance and had beefed up its security to prevent any attack. |
