On World Press Freedom Day

In a press release issued on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, Mwatana for Human Rights called on the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group to drop the indictment issued by the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in Sana’a against writer and journalist Mohammed Dubwan Al-Mayyahi (29 years old), who has been arbitrarily detained since 20 September 2024. The organization also called for an end to his unlawful prosecution and his immediate release, stressing that his detention and trial over his writings and opinions constitute a blatant violation of freedom of opinion and expression, press freedom, freedom of criticism, and the principles of justice. It further noted that such actions violate fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen, binding national laws and legislation, and international conventions.

Radhya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, stated: "Although Al-Mayyahi was brought before a judicial body that is legally unauthorized to handle cases related to journalism and publishing, the indictment clearly proves that his detention was arbitrary and motivated by his views and writings, in contravention of the law. This necessitates the immediate release of writer Mohammed Al-Mayyahi by the leadership of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group. Detaining individuals for exercising their natural and legitimate rights is a shameful act of repression that must end."

Journalist Mohammed Dubwan Al-Mayyahi was detained at around 6:00 a.m. on Friday, 20 September 2024, after a raid on his home in Ma’in District, within the Capital Secretariat of Sana’a, by at least six armed men affiliated with the Security and Intelligence Service of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group, accompanied by a female police officer. The raid involved a search of his home, terrifying his family, and the confiscation of his laptop and mobile phone before he was taken aboard a military vehicle to an undisclosed location.

From the time of his arrest until 5 November 2024, Al-Mayyahi was subjected to enforced disappearance for approximately 45 days. During this time, neither his family nor his lawyer was allowed to contact or visit him, and no information was disclosed about his place of detention or the specific charges against him.

On 5 November 2024, Al-Mayyahi’s family received the first phone call informing them that he was being held by the Counter-Terrorism Unit at the Hadda Correctional Facility. On 7 November 2024, his family was allowed to visit him for the first time. On 28 April 2025, he was transferred to the Habrah Pretrial Detention Facility.

On 13 January 2025, Al-Mayyahi was referred to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution, which continued to pursue the investigation despite legal objections over its lack of jurisdiction. These objections were echoed by a member of the prosecution who affirmed that jurisdiction lies with the Press and Publications Prosecution, the competent authority for cases involving journalism and publishing.

On 21 April 2025, the Specialized Criminal Prosecution issued an indictment demanding Al-Mayyahi’s prosecution on charges of “publishing and disseminating false and malicious information” through Al Jazeera TV, Belqees TV and website, Yemen Shabab TV, and Facebook, with the alleged intent of “disturbing public peace and security and harming public order.”

In its press release, Mwatana for Human Rights called on the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group to immediately release writer and journalist Mohammed Al-Mayyahi, to investigate the violations committed against him, to put an end to such abuses and practices, and to uphold individuals’ right to expression and criticism, protect press and publishing freedoms, and respect citizens’ fundamental right to legal protection under all circumstances.

‍