The Abductees’ Mothers Association received an urgent appeal from the family of “Sami Yassin Qaid Al-Sharjabi,” who has been arbitrarily detained by the Security Belt Forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council in Aden since November 16, 2023. According to a source close to the family, it was reported that his health has deteriorated. The family received a leaked photo of “Al-Sharjabi” in early March 2024, showing him emaciated and lying in a hospital bed, with the source indicating that Sami had been vomiting and experiencing constant pain.
In response, the family of the arbitrarily detained “Sami Yassin” and his lawyer submitted a request to the Attorney General for a medical examination by a committee or his transfer to the hospital for a medical report. However, there has been no response to their request so far.
“Sami Yassin” was arrested while leaving his work at the Supreme Judicial Council and the Judicial Inspection Authority in Khormaksar district, Aden. He had received numerous threats from individuals in the security and judicial authorities affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council due to his involvement in the case of the deceased detainee “Mahram Fuad Al-Daramli,” who died in the Al-Arish Police Prison in June 2023, as well as the ongoing case of the arbitrarily detained journalist “Ahmed Maher.”
The family reports that “Sami Yassin” has been subjected to torture and mistreatment, including severe beatings and prolonged interrogation at night, in addition to solitary confinement during his detention at the Nasr Camp belonging to the Security Belt Forces. He was held there for four months before being transferred to Bir Ahmed Prison in Aden on March 6th. Throughout his detention, “Sami Yassin” has been deprived of his right to contact his family and legal representative, and the only information they received from him was through leaked messages.
Furthermore, “Sami Yassin’s” house was raided by military forces without presenting a search warrant, and all his case files and personal documents were confiscated. His wife was summoned, interrogated, intimidated, and threatened with arrest and her husband’s disappearance if she spoke to the media.
Therefore, the Abductees’ Mothers Association holds the Security Belt Forces responsible for the safety of the arbitrarily detained “Sami Al-Sharjabi” and condemns the torture he has endured and his deprivation his deprivation of the right to visit his family and legal representative. The association also condemns the harassment and threats faced by his wife.
We call on the internationally recognized government to assume its responsibility and immediately release the lawyer “Sami Yassin” and ensure his full human and legal rights.
We also call on the United Nations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to urgently intervene and exert pressure to release “Sami Yassin” and end his suffering.
Issued by the Abductees’ Mothers Association Aden, Thursday, May 16, 2024
