A political component in Socotra's governorate has accused Governor Raafat Al-Thaqli of kidnapping Sheikh Ali Amer Saad Al-Qahtani. The incident occurred in the capital city of Hadibu on July 1, 2024.

The Preparatory Committee for the Socotra National Conference has strongly condemned the kidnapping, stating that it is an irresponsible act that threatens the peace in the governorate. The committee believes that the kidnapping of Al-Qahtani is a dangerous precedent that could endanger societal peace, fragment the societal fabric, and incite strife among the people of the governorate. The committee also believes that the kidnapping violates human rights and could lead to unfortunate consequences.

Governor Al-Thaqli and the security authorities in the governorate are being held responsible for the life of Al-Qahtani and any violations or psychological or physical torture he may have been subjected to during the kidnapping and arrest.

The Preparatory Committee for the Socotra National Conference has called for the immediate release of Al-Qahtani. The committee has also urged parties, societal components, sheikhs, jurists, journalists, and media platforms to condemn these human rights violations, which they believe aim to silence the voice of free people demanding the rights of the people of Socotra.

The committee has appealed to all the people of Socotra to unite and stand together against those who violate their dignity, waste their rights, confiscate their freedoms, and plunder their wealth.

 Local activist Abdullah Badahen has accused the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces of being involved in the kidnapping of Al-Qahtani.

Al-Qahtani is the head of the preparatory committee for the Socotra National Conference and a well-known social figure in Socotra, known for reconciling relations.