International Organizations Demand Immediate Release of Journalist Naseh Shaker
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Media Freedoms Observatory (Marsadak) have called upon the Head of the Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, and Council member Major General Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami (Abu Zara’a), to immediately implement a final judicial ruling to release journalist Naseh Ahmed Muhammad Shaker after more than 25 months of detention.
In a joint letter, the two organizations clarified that the Specialized Criminal Court in Aden issued a ruling on January 20, 2026, ordering his release based on time served. They emphasized that the Public Prosecution did not file any appeal within the legal timeframe, making the verdict binding for immediate execution.
The organizations noted that security authorities and the administration of “Bir Ahmed” prison have refused to implement the order so far, which constitutes a violation of the rule of law and judicial independence, and an unlawful deprivation of the journalist’s liberty. They demanded urgent directives for Shaker’s unconditional release and an independent investigation into the reasons for the refusal, calling for the accountability of those responsible, including the prison administration.
According to the organizations, continued detention despite the court ruling is a grave violation of the law that sends a disturbing message regarding respect for judicial verdicts, undermines media freedom, and reinforces a climate of fear among journalists in Yemen.
Forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) originally arrested Shaker on November 19, 2023, in Aden while he was traveling from Sana’a with the intention of going abroad. He was forcibly disappeared for over a year amid official denials of his whereabouts before his detention in their prisons was eventually revealed. During his imprisonment, he was subjected to torture, held in solitary confinement, and denied visits or legal counsel for a period, in violation of legal guarantees and the rights of detainees.
