Barran Press
The family of abducted lawyer Sami Yassin in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen, has accused a leader of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) of obstructing the execution of a court order for his release after nine months of detention. The family claims the leader is "interfering with the justice system."
According to a statement released by Yassin's family and seen by Barran Press, the commander of the Security Belt Forces in Aden, Jalal Al-Rubaie, is hindering the implementation of the criminal court's decision. The statement accuses Al-Rubaie of "disgusting interference" in judicial affairs.
The statement alleges that Al-Rubaie is blocking the execution of the court's order issued on July 24, 2024, which ordered the release of their son, Sami. The family claims that Al-Rubaie previously kidnapped and held their son in solitary confinement for four months in a secret prison under his control.
The family stated that the acting prosecutor of the specialized criminal court refused to execute the court order and release their son unless Al-Rubaie approves. However, Al-Rubaie continues to refuse to approve the decision and implement it.
On July 24, 2024, the specialized criminal court in Aden issued an order for the release of Sami Yassin after nine months of arbitrary detention, torture, and intimidation by STC forces.
Sami was arbitrarily arrested on November 16, 2023, by STC forces after being accused of collaborating with the Houthis.
Following his arrest, Amnesty International issued a statement calling on the STC to immediately and unconditionally release Sami, highlighting that he was subjected to torture and solitary confinement during his detention. He was later transferred to the Bir Ahmed prison and a photo of him in a hospital bed was leaked.
Sami's family claims that he received threats prior to his arrest from individuals in security and judicial authority affiliated with the STC due to his work, including his pursuit of the case of journalist Ahmed Maher, who was arbitrarily detained and sentenced to four years by the same court.