Yemeni Journalists Syndicate Demands Houthis Immediately Release Journalist Salah Al-Rouhani
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate condemned, on Thursday, the continued detention of journalist and writer Salah Al-Din Ali Al-Rouhani by the Houthi group in the capital Sanaa for over two months, demanding his immediate release and disclosure of his place of detention.
In a statement, the Syndicate said it had received a report from Al-Rouhani’s colleagues and close sources indicating that his detention has continued for more than two months, with no news of him and his family being prevented from contacting him or checking on his condition.
It added that information received indicates that a security force raided Al-Rouhani’s home about two weeks before the start of last Ramadan, at six in the morning, after imposing a security cordon around the residential neighborhood using two armored vehicles, two military pickups, and a transport bus, with the participation of female police officers.
According to the statement, the security force searched the house and interrogated Al-Rouhani inside until around eleven in the morning, before taking him to an unknown detention location.
The Syndicate noted that attempts to inquire with security agencies and intelligence apparatuses were met with the response that the matter involved “procedures,” yet Al-Rouhani remains detained to this day without any charges being announced against him, nor being allowed to communicate with his family or receive visits from them.
The Syndicate expressed its “grave concern” over the continued detention of Al-Rouhani under what it described as mysterious circumstances, considering that the procedures accompanying his detention raise serious concerns about his physical and psychological safety and his legal rights.
It condemned the continuation of his detention outside legal guarantees, and the deprivation of his right to communicate with his family and lawyer, affirming that these practices constitute a violation of fundamental rights and freedoms and contradict national laws and relevant international covenants.
The Syndicate called for the immediate disclosure of Al-Rouhani’s place of detention, his health and legal status, and for enabling him to communicate with his family and lawyer without delay.
It also demanded his immediate release, the application of proper legal procedures in cases concerning freedom of opinion and expression, and ensuring respect for the rights of journalists and opinion holders, and not targeting them because of their views or writings.
The Syndicate appealed to local and international human rights organizations and entities concerned with press and expression freedom, foremost among them the International Federation of Journalists and the Arab Journalists Union, to show solidarity with Al-Rouhani and work to ensure the protection of his rights and end his ongoing suffering that has lasted for months.
The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate reiterated its full solidarity with Al-Rouhani, affirming that protecting journalists and defending their rights and freedoms represents a collective responsibility that cannot be taken lightly.
