Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Sentence 17 to Death on Espionage Charges Amidst Widening Crackdown

Sana’a, Yemen – A court controlled by Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital has condemned 17 individuals to death on charges of espionage, escalating a concerning trend of repression targeting local staff affiliated with foreign agencies. The sentences, handed down Saturday, represent the latest development in a prolonged crackdown that has raised alarm among international observers and human rights organizations.

The Specialized Criminal Court in Sana’a announced the verdicts, as reported by the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency. The court alleged that the convicted individuals were part of “espionage cells” linked to intelligence networks associated with the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. The imposed penalty is execution by public firing squad.

In addition to the death sentences, the court sentenced one man and one woman to ten years of imprisonment, while one other defendant was acquitted. Abdulbasit Ghazi, a lawyer representing some of the condemned, indicated that the verdicts are subject to appeal.

According to SABA, the accused were charged with “spying for foreign countries in a state of enmity with Yemen” during the period of 2024-2025. Prosecutors claim the individuals collaborated with intelligence officials from Saudi Arabia, Great Britain, the United States, and Israel’s Mossad intelligence service.

The accusations leveled against the condemned are severe, alleging they provided “enemies” with critical information regarding the locations and movements of state leaders, as well as details about missile capabilities. SABA reported that this information allegedly facilitated attacks on military, security, and civilian sites, resulting in numerous deaths and widespread infrastructure damage. Could such accusations be politically motivated, designed to consolidate power and silence dissent within Yemen?

This sentencing occurs within a broader context of years-long repression by the Houthi rebels in areas under their control. Since the onset of the Yemeni civil war in 2014, the Iran-backed rebels have reportedly imprisoned thousands, including personnel from the United Nations who were detained in June. The United Nations has consistently denied the espionage claims.

Over the past two years, the Houthis have increasingly targeted individuals connected to the UN, international aid organizations, and foreign embassies, frequently alleging espionage without providing supporting evidence. These detentions have created a climate of fear and severely hampered humanitarian efforts in the war-torn country.

Past rulings by Houthi-controlled courts have been similarly harsh. In September 2021, nine individuals were executed for their alleged involvement in the assassination of a senior Houthi official, Saleh al-Samad, during a 2018 airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition.

Recent months have seen a significant escalation in Houthi military activity, including missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and vessels in the Red Sea, actions the rebels claim are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza. These attacks have prompted retaliatory airstrikes and naval operations from the United States and Israel, further destabilizing the region. An Israeli strike earlier this year resulted in the deaths of the rebel government’s prime minister and most of his cabinet.

The recent death sentences underscore the increasingly repressive environment in Houthi-controlled Yemen and raise serious concerns about due process and human rights. The international community must continue to advocate for the protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution to this devastating conflict.

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