Houthis Smuggle Security Officer Accused of Killing Yemeni Woman in Ibb
The Iran-backed Houthi
militias in Yemen have smuggled the prime suspect in the murder case of Khitam
al-Ashary, who was beaten to death in her home in Odain town, located in the
central governorate of Ibb, local sources reported.
In an attempt to divert
public attention from the murder, the Houthis continued to wage arrest
campaigns against citizens and activists in Odain.
Although Houthis
announced forming a probe committee to look into Ashary’s death, local sources
said that the militias were never serious about holding the perpetrators
accountable for their crime.
Gunmen involved in the
incident were arrested only to later be secretly transferred outside Ibb.
Desperate attempts to
conceal the raging security chaos in Houthi-run areas have failed against the
backdrop of reports documenting hikes in crimes such as murder, harassment and
suppression of freedoms.
More so, eye witnesses
to Ashary’s killing were forced to change their testimonies, local sources told
Asharq Al-Awsat. The victim’s family has also doubted the integrity of
investigations spearheaded by the Houthis.
Ahmed al-Ashary, the
victim’s brother, has voiced concerns about Houthi efforts to bury the case
through pressuring the victim’s family members.
In a Facebook post, he
conveyed pessimism towards the coroner’s report and warned that the Houthis are
trying to tamper with facts.
The medical report
stated that his sister suffered from a “growing swelling in the neck area with
paresthesia in the limbs” as a result of blunt force trauma.
Locals in Odain reported
Houthi gunmen, in the last few days, have carried out widespread arrest
campaigns against the town’s youth and activists who condemned Ashary’s murder.
Houthis justified the
arrests by saying that the condemnation of the murder seeks to undermine
security and stability.
Dozens of those who
stood in solidarity with Ashary’s family were harassed by Houthi gunmen, and at
least 15 were arrested.
Murad al-Banna, a media
activist, was arrested for exposing the crime on social media platforms.
