YEMEN: PRO-HOUTHI COURT SENTENCES 19 SENIOR ARMY OFFICERS TO DEATH

March 18, 2020:

A Houthi court in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on 17 March 2020 passed the death sentence on 19 senior army officers loyal to the UN-recognised government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. Details were made public by the defendants’ lawyer.
Abdul Basit Ghazi said on Facebook that the sentences were handed down by the Specialised Criminal Court. The lawyer pointed out that Vice President Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar and Defence Minister Muhammad Ali Al-Maqdashi are among those facing the death penalty.
According to Ghazi, the court found the defendants guilty of “impersonation crimes, aiding the enemy and inciting the Saudi-led coalition countries to launch a war against Yemen.” He added that the judgement included the confiscation of their movable and immovable belongings. The lawyer explained that the court rejected the defence team’s insistence that the criminal court does not have the authority to try military officials.
Both Al-Ahmar and Al-Maqdashi were sentenced in absentia. It is not clear whether the remaining defendants are held by the Houthis.