The Somalian group that first revealed a lower ransom demand for kidnapped Alberta journalist Amanda Lindhout claims it is working on her “unconditional” release.

Lindhout, originally from Sylvan Lake, and Australian colleague Nigel Brennan were grabbed by gunmen last August 23rd.

In the weeks after the kidnapping, there was a ransom demand for two and a half million dollars but the Somali Journalists Rights Agency later reported it was reduced to 100-thousand dollars.

The agency’s executive director, Daud Abdi Daud, says in an e-mail to iNews 880: “SOJRA is pleased to inform you that it has paved a possible way that the two journalists can get back to their freedom without condition…On behalf of SOJRA we can expect a positive outcome to this way which is using the government ministers particularly those who from the Clan of the kidnappers”.

No time line is given and as with all previous claims about the well being of Lindhout and Brennan in Somalia, this claim can not be independently verified.

The sittuation of the kidnaped journalists in Mogadishu seems that its in danger as these two journalists neared to be killed on 26 january in this year, after these journalists being escaped the place that they was stayed as they was kidnaped which was in a house located Hiliwa district in Mogadishu town.

Amenda and Nigel after they escape they intered in a Mosque not far from the house they escaped while two gunmen militias whom are a mong those kidnaped was going after them.

Very quickly Amenda and Nigel requested from the mullos whom was in the Mosque at that time for studiying for religion books saying that ” you are Muslims save Us gunmen are running after Us asking Us a ransom please save Us”.

The mullos said to them gett inside and sitdown the behind chair where reader of holly book was sitting. Immidiattely the two gunmen have reached and shoted fire and told to the mullos to hand over the two journalists other wise they will face a danger.

The mullos have rejected and said no it will not happen it is unlow full according to the Islam religion, after more quarel the two gunmen has ordered to gett more militia with in minutes small cars having weapons have reached the area intered in the Mosque by force and took the two journalists .

A few people whom was eye witness has told to the SOJRA that they have seen while the two journalists was taking by the millitia in to their cars and also was petted by the strong backside of the A-K40-7 gun particularly Nigel was tortured very badly and forced to enter the car.

Another witnesss told to SOJRA that Amenda tried to throw her self from the car and escape but not succeeded immidiattely the millitia men has captured her and there is no any free news specifies that they are a live and their health is good since 26 january in this year.

SOJRA appreciated and feel glad fully the wards of the mullos whom was reading the holly book saying that ” we have no any religion here , as we was not able to save the people asked safety Allah and Us”.

Somali Media under Attack, Radio Director killed and other one injured
Hornafric Media director was shot dead to day in Mogadhu by three men armed with pistols following after when he left a meeting organized by Al-shabaab in Bakaara market.

Mr Sa’iid Tahliil Ahmed dead instantly after shooting. During the shooting he was accompained by other independent media directors and members of Al-shabaab Islamist armed Group.

The Somali journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) has today condemned the murder of Hornafric radio director Sa’iid Tahliil Ahmed who was shot dead to day in Mogadishu particularly inside Bakaara Market.

It was near former building of Dahab Shiil Money Transfer around 2:20 PM in this afternoon by armed militiamen. Sa’iid was on his way to a press conference at the Al-shabaab Islamic Group when he was killed.

“Attacks on journalists violate their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and press” Said Daud Abdi Daud, SOJRA Executive Director.

There were descussions on reporting issues between Mogadishu media directors and Al-shabaab. Al-shabaab were opposing the Djibouti agreement and the government of national unity led by Sh. Shariif Sh. Ahmed and forced the media not to report about the event, but the media rejected this call.

Secondly Al-shabaab Group ordered the media not to air or report about speeches made in the different Mosques in Mogadishu without their permission.The meeting of to day was follow up of the discussions of the above two issues.

Many people believes that the director of Hornafric died it because of his position of reporting the Djibouti agreement and the government of national unity and also the speeches made in the Mosque in Mogadishu.

The director of Shabelle Mukhtaar Mohamed Hirraabe was also injured to day for his hands. Many Somali journalists have reportedly SOJRA that they are receiving threats and sms messages for terrorizing.

SOJRA demands investigations on today’s brutal murder and calls on TFG authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable according to international standards of justice without application of the death penalty” Daud Abdi added.

SOJRA is relieved that the other local media directors who were accompanying Sa’iid Tahliil at the time, was lucky to survive and escape without incident.

Somalia continues to be a treacherous place for the journalists who risk their lives to bring the story of the ongoing conflict to the world and SOJRA is gravely concerned about the growing press freedom crisis and violations in Somalia particularly south and central Somalia.