Human Rights Center: Houthi Court Toughens Unfair Sentence Against Kidnapped "Hanan Al-Muntaser"

The American Center for Justice ( ACJ ) said that the Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal in Sana'a, which is under the control of the Houthi group, issued its ruling last week to increase the prison sentence for the detainee "Hanan Shu'i Al-Muntasir" to 13 years instead of 12 years.

The center explained that "Al-Muntaser" was kidnapped by the Houthi militia on July 3, 2019, from Sana'a, where she had fled following the escalation of military operations in Hodeidah during 2018. She was accused of communicating with the Arab coalition countries and informing them of the coordinates of military sites and the homes of Houthi leaders.

He added that the Houthi group detained "Hanan" for two years before referring her to court, in clear violation of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Yemeni Constitution, and human rights agreements. During her detention, she was forced to confess under torture and duress.

He added that the Houthi court rejected the arguments presented by "Al-Muntasir" and her lawyer, which stated that she was forced to sign papers whose contents she did not know under torture while blindfolded, claiming that the accusations of the security services represented by the anti-terrorism department were true.

The human rights center pointed out that Hanan Al-Montaser is the sole breadwinner for five children, one of whom has autism, and her elderly mother.

The American Center for Justice ( ACJ ) called on the Houthi group to release all female prisoners detained by it and to stop illegal trials and violations of the basic rights of political detainees.