Barran Press
The hashtag "(#جنات_فضحت_الحوثي)" JannatExposedtheHouthis" has rapidly gained traction on social media platforms, particularly on X, following a recent court ruling against a Houthi leader for the sexual assault of nine-year-old Jannat Taher Abdulwahid Al-Siyaghi. The ruling has sparked widespread outrage and solidarity for the young victim.
The campaign aims to support Jannat and her family, who are reportedly facing pressure from Houthi officials, raising concerns that this could influence the judiciary in Sana'a. On Saturday, October 12, the specialized penal court sentenced the perpetrator, Ahmed Hassan Najad, to 15 years in prison and ordered him to pay 6 million rials in compensation to Jannat's family for the heinous crime committed against her.
Barran Press has documented various posts from activists discussing the Houthi group's history of human rights abuses against Yemeni women, highlighting the collaboration of local leaders in areas under Houthi control.
Journalist Ahmed Al-Sabahi expressed his solidarity, stating, "The case of Jannat and the ruling against the Houthi perpetrator Ahmed Najad expose the discriminatory nature of Houthi-controlled justice, which undermines the legal system and allows the militia to commit crimes against the Yemeni people."
Al-Sabahi also recalled previous instances of Houthi leaders facing international sanctions for moral violations, urging tribal leaders to unite in support of Jannat's father and demand justice for his daughter.
Media commentator Mohamed Al-Dubayani condemned the ruling as indicative of the corrupt judicial system under Houthi control, declaring that the assault on Jannat is part of a broader pattern of violence against children in Houthi-dominated regions.
Activist Hayel Al-Bukali insisted that such crimes cannot be ignored, asserting that awareness of these atrocities must spread throughout Yemen to expose those who perpetrate and fund these acts.
Journalist Abdullah Ismail underscored that the crimes committed by the Houthis will not be forgotten, emphasizing that the systematic assault on honor and rights in Houthi territories represents a grave injustice.
Anwar Al-Ashwal, a presenter on Yemen Today, remarked that many children suffer similar fates, highlighting the alarming levels of abuse occurring in Houthi prisons and camps.
In a statement, Mustafa Ghalis expressed that the dignity of the people cannot be bought or surrendered for material gain, emphasizing the severity of Najad's actions and the inadequacy of the court's ruling.
The ruling, announced by Judge Yahya Al-Mansour, has incited public anger, particularly from Jannat's father, who has rallied citizens to demand the death penalty for Najad, arguing that the court's decision contradicts both local law and Islamic principles.
A widely circulated video showed Jannat's father and dozens of supporters outside the court demanding justice, accusing the judiciary of corruption and calling for adherence to Islamic law.
Jannat's attorney, Tawfiq Al-Asadi, described the ruling as unjust and unacceptable, asserting that the proper punishment for Najad should be capital punishment.
In June, Najad abducted and sexually assaulted Jannat in the Sanhan district of Sana'a Governorate, a crime that has now galvanized public sentiment and demands for justice across Yemen.