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Somaliland's Horn Stars band arrested over Somali flag | Somaliland's Horn Stars band arrested over Somali flag |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Members of one of Somaliland's best-known groups, the Horn Stars, have been arrested for allegedly waving Somalia's flag at a concert. | Members of one of Somaliland's best-known groups, the Horn Stars, have been arrested for allegedly waving Somalia's flag at a concert. |
They were performing during Eid al-Adha in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. | They were performing during Eid al-Adha in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. |
The four musicians are accused of holding performances which oppose Somaliland's independence. | The four musicians are accused of holding performances which oppose Somaliland's independence. |
Somaliland declared itself independent from the rest of Somalia in 1991 but this has not been recognised internationally. | Somaliland declared itself independent from the rest of Somalia in 1991 but this has not been recognised internationally. |
The four, Nimaan Hilaa, Hamda Queen, Mahamed Ahmed Bakaal and Abdirahman Aydiid, were arrested when they returned to Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa, from Mogadishu on Sunday. | The four, Nimaan Hilaa, Hamda Queen, Mahamed Ahmed Bakaal and Abdirahman Aydiid, were arrested when they returned to Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa, from Mogadishu on Sunday. |
On Twitter people have started posting message of support for the musicians using the hashtag #FreeHornStars. | On Twitter people have started posting message of support for the musicians using the hashtag #FreeHornStars. |
Somaliland's deputy Interior Minister Ahmed Adarre said they were on the payroll of the Somaliland's information ministry and were not allowed to do anything against Somaliland: | |
"The Somaliland artists can perform anywhere in the world but not in Somalia. They should not be involved in politics. Somaliland and Somalia have conflicts to resolve," he said. | |
"We are not silencing them, they can perform anywhere they want, but they have to abide by our laws." | |
Another prominent musician, Khadra Silimo, told the BBC that the four were not government employees and had done "nothing wrong". | |
"They sang love songs in Mogadishu and I don't think that should be a crime." | |
The five points on the white star of Somalia's flag each represent a region where ethnic Somalis live, including Somaliland. | |
Somaliland has its own flag. | Somaliland has its own flag. |
Somaliland: Find out more | Somaliland: Find out more |
More about Somaliland | More about Somaliland |