New Escalation: Houthis Refer Nine Yemenis to Trial on Charges of “Spying for Britain”
Yemen Monitor / Sanaa / Exclusive:
The Specialized Criminal Prosecution in Sanaa—under Houthi control—referred on Saturday a new case involving nine Yemenis to court, accusing them of “espionage” for British intelligence. The move marks a fresh judicial escalation that coincides with a sweeping campaign the group is waging against employees of international organizations in Yemen.
According to the Houthi-run version of the Yemen News Agency (SABA), the head of the prosecution said this is the “second case of its kind” to be referred to court, and that it involves a cell allegedly linked to British intelligence.
The prosecution’s statement said the indictment includes nine individuals, two of whom will be tried in absentia as fugitives. It did not disclose their identities, occupations, or whether they had worked for international organizations or diplomatic missions.
The prosecution chief vowed that his office “will spare no effort in arguing before the court to demand the harshest penalties,” alleging that the defendants harmed the “political, military, and social interests” of the Republic of Yemen—charges that can carry the death penalty under Yemeni law and in similar cases previously handled by the same court.
This announcement comes just days after the same court in Sanaa issued death sentences against 17 Yemenis on charges of spying for the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia—rulings that drew widespread international and human rights condemnation.
Since June this year, the Houthi group has carried out a broad arrest campaign targeting dozens of employees working with UN agencies, international organizations, and diplomatic missions in Sanaa, promoting a security narrative claiming it has uncovered an “American-Israeli spy network” operating in the country for decades.
The Specialized Criminal Court in Sanaa is widely known as the judicial arm used by the group to prosecute political opponents, journalists, and activists, and its trials typically lack basic standards of justice and transparency, according to reports from international and local human rights organizations.
