After A Week Since the Release Ruling… Journalist Al-Mayahi Remains in Houthi Prisons
Yemen Monitor / Sana’a / Exclusive:
Despite a judicial ruling ordering his release, journalist Mohammed Al-Mayahi remains detained in Houthi group prisons a week after the appellate division of the criminal court in Sana’a issued a decision to free him.
On December 28 last year, the appellate division of the specialized criminal court in the capital, Sana’a, issued its ruling, stating that journalist Mohammed Al-Mayahi had served sufficient prison time and issued a final verdict for his release.
According to informed sources, the authorities responsible for his detention continue to delay implementing the release order without providing any legal justification. They have merely cited unspecified “procedures” without clarifying their nature or duration, in clear violation of judicial rulings.
Al-Mayahi ‘s lawyer had disclosed the release ruling, explaining that completing the procedures would take at most one day. However, more than seven days have passed without his release.
Al-Mayahi has been imprisoned for over a year and a half, while his family, especially his child, endure a painful wait for his return. Concerns are growing over his continued detention despite a final ruling in his favor.
The continued detention of Al-Mayahi after the release ruling constitutes a legal and human rights violation. It reflects the use of the judiciary and detention facilities as tools of pressure in a case that has sparked widespread discontent among journalists and human rights organizations.
Organizations and journalists have renewed their calls for the immediate release of their colleague Mohammed Al-Mayahi and for the court’s ruling to be implemented unconditionally. They emphasize that press freedom cannot coexist with journalists being held hostage outside the framework of the law.
