Barran Press
In a significant legal victory, an appeals court in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen, ruled on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, to acquit journalist Ahmed Maher, who has been detained for the past three years by forces aligned with the Southern Transitional Council.
Judicial sources confirmed that the Appeals Division of the Specialized Penal Court in Aden declared Maher innocent of all charges against him and ordered his immediate release. The court determined that the allegations leveled at Maher were unfounded, leading to the complete dismissal of the charges.
Previously, on May 28, 2024, a lower court sentenced Maher to four years in prison for allegedly being involved with an armed gang. He was arrested on August 6, 2022, by Southern Transitional Council forces at his home in Aden, accused of posting statements on social media that allegedly threatened public order.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment for press freedom in Yemen, where journalists often face severe repercussions for their work.