Sana’a – On Monday, the Houthi-controlled Appeals Court in the occupied capital Sana’a upheld the death sentences of nine detainees, issued prison terms of varying lengths against five others, and acquitted three detainees. 

The ruling follows a November decision by the group’s Special Criminal Court that sentenced 17 detainees to death.

The court session was marked by emotional scenes, as relatives of the detainees attended the hearing. A young woman, the daughter of one of those sentenced to death, fainted, while other family members were seen crying outside the court. 

Among them were relatives of Anas Al-Musbahi, a fish seller in Sana’a, who was among those condemned to execution.

Journalist Fares Al-Humairi reported that an elderly man, the father of detainee Khaled Al-Saadi, traveled from Al-Jaafariyah district in Raymah governorate to see his son, repeatedly crying “My son is innocent.” 

One of the main charges against Al-Saadi was allegedly receiving a small sum of money less than 5,000 Saudi riyals sent by friends and relatives in Saudi Arabia as charity to help treat his mother suffering from cancer.

Observers noted that the trial was conducted hastily, with only five sessions in the Special Criminal Court and five in the Appeals Court, making it one of the fastest proceedings of its kind. 

Several detainees were tried without legal representation and were denied the chance to testify. Reports also indicate they were subjected to torture in police intelligence prisons in Sana’a and coerced into confessions, while being barred from contacting their families throughout detention.

The Houthis leveled charges described as baseless, leading to unjust verdicts upheld on appeal, without the legal elements required to justify capital punishment. 

No victim’s family appeared during the trial, and most accusations revolved around minor issues such as “remote photography” or placing a “block” near the home of a Houthi leader charges lacking any logical connection between alleged acts and the severe sentences imposed.