The issue of arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance has taken center stage in Aden with the recent case of Lieutenant Colonel Ali Ashal Al-Jaadani, who was kidnapped by forces affiliated with the Security Belt, leading to widespread demonstrations demanding information on his whereabouts.
Recent cases of enforced disappearance demonstrate that the authorities responsible for these violations are clearly and explicitly contravening Yemeni law. Aden Police have issued arrest orders for Yasran Al-Maqtari, the commander of the Counterterrorism Forces, and his deputy, Samer Al-Jundab, who are implicated in the disappearance of Ashal and numerous other citizens in the southern governorates.
These events coincide with the second anniversary of journalist Ahmed Maher’s arrest on August 6, 2022. Maher was subjected to enforced disappearance and torture due to his journalistic work and coerced into making false confessions. Despite the serious legal violations associated with his case, Maher was sentenced to four years in prison. His case represents a severe threat to freedom of expression and a troubling trend towards the security-driven repression of journalists, and it marks a significant perversion of justice.
Recent developments in Aden have exposed the weakness of the ruling against Maher. A dispute has erupted between the Criminal Prosecutor and the President of the Specialized Criminal Court, with the former accusing the latter of bias and lack of professionalism. This dispute involves the same officials who prosecuted and ruled on Ahmed Maher’s case.
We, the undersigned organizations, condemn the ongoing arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances in Aden. We express our full solidarity with the families of the kidnapped, including Lieutenant Colonel Ali Ashal. We call for prompt investigations into the cases of the disappeared, demand that their fates be revealed and urge an end to these inhumane practices.
We reiterate our call for the legitimate government in Aden to expedite the referral of Ahmed Maher’s case to the Court of Appeal to address the evident legal violations and ensure his unconditional release.
Read the full statement below.
An Arabic copy is available at:
