Yemen: Skyline condemns killing of Yemeni activist kidnapped by Houthi group and calls for serious investigation into incident

Stockholm - Skyline International for Human Rights condemns the killing of Yemeni activist "Hamdi Abdul Razzaq" in Ibb governorate in central Yemen, months after he was kidnapped for his social media activities and opposition to the Houthi group. It calls for a serious and impartial investigation into the incident and the prosecution of those involved. 

In a statement released today, Monday, Skyline says that it is very surprised by the news that the Houthi group liquidated the activist "Al-Razzaq" kidnapped a few months ago, pointing out that this incident reflects the level of brutality and danger of the members of this armed group. 

Skyline points out that this is not the first breach of its kind, as the Houthi group has a long history of tracking activists and opponents on social media. It also expresses its concern for the lives of dozens of people detained by the Houthi group so that they do not suffer the same fate as "Abdul Razzaq." 

Skyline indicates that the internationally recognized Yemeni government on Sunday accused the Houthi group Ansar Allah of liquidating the activist "Abdul Razzaq," who has been detained for months in the central province of Ibb. "We strongly condemn the liquidation of activist Hamdi Abdul Razzaq by the Houthi terrorist militia, five months after they stormed his house in Ibb and arrested him," Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Muammar al-Eryani said in a statement published by German Press Agency. 

He added that "the crime of liquidating activist Hamdi Abdul Razzaq in the Houthi detention centers in Ibb is not the first incident, as hundreds of abducted and forcibly disappeared people have suffered the same fate as a result of deadly psychological and physical torture, mistreatment and deprivation of natural care and the most basic rights." 

In this context, Skyline points out that five activists and social media influencers from the Houthi group are still detained, namely "Ahmed Hajar, Mustafa Al-Momari, Ahmed Allaw, Issa Al-Athri, Hamoud Al-Mesbahi", as they are facing an unfair trial in an illegal court with trumped-up charges against the background of their expressions of opinions and ideas. 

It is noteworthy in this context that the Houthi group has not commented on the killing of activist Hamdi Abdul Razzaq, who had recently appeared on social media posting video clips criticizing the group. 

In turn, Skyline calls on the Houthi group to swiftly investigate the killing of activist "Abdul Razzaq," announce the results of the investigation, bring the perpetrators to justice, and take effective measures to ensure the protection of activists and social media influencers and create an appropriate atmosphere for them to express their opinions freely and without intimidation. 

The group also called for an end to the imprisonment of media professionals, journalists, and researchers because of their media work or their political opinions. 

At the end of its statement, Skyline urges the United Nations envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, the relevant special rapporteurs, and relevant international organizations to condemn crimes against activists and journalists, and to take appropriate measures to ensure that the Houthi group seriously investigates the attacks on activists and ensures their release.