* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *

31 May 2001
AFR 52/001/2001
94/01

He was arrested at Hargeisa Airport on 22 May 2001. He
has not so far been taken to court or charged with any offence,
in contravention of the international legal requirement that a
person suspected of a criminal offence should be brought to court
and charged within 48 hours.

According to unofficial reports Suleiman Mohamed Adam
appears to be accused by the authorities of Atreason@ or A
plotting to sabotage a planned referendum@ on 31 May 2001 on
amendments to Somaliland=s Constitution. He is said to have also
been accused of having met in Djibouti with President Ismail Omar
Guelleh, who is known not to support the referendum.

Suleiman Mohamed Adam was held in incommunicado detention
for seven days. On 30 May he was finally granted access to a
lawyer. However, prison guards refused to allow them to
communicate in confidence. Both Suleiman Mohamad Adam and his
lawyer refused to talk in the presence of prison guards. He has
not been allowed access to his family or medical treatment.

AThe illegal detention of this prisoner of conscience puts in
jeopardy everyone's right to freedom of expression and
association in Somaliland,"Amnesty International said.

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