Mr Muumin was arrested on Tuesday after openly criticising new government restrictions on the reporting of militant Islamist group al-Shabab.

Journalists' unions and media freedom activists condemned the directive as restrictive.

In a statement, the ministry said the journalist’s arrest was not linked to his work, without providing details of the security related charges.

It added that the ministry was waiting to receive further information on his possible prosecution.

Somalia consistently ranks poorly on media freedom surveys due to threats against journalists by the government and militant groups.