Geneva - The SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council arrested journalist Fahmi Al-Alimi on Thursday, July 18th, while he was driving in one of the city's streets. This incident raises serious concerns and highlights the repressive measures targeting journalists and activists in Yemen, threatening fundamental freedoms and undermining human rights.

SAM received a report from a source close to  family of journalist Fahmi Al-Alimi, indicating that he left his home on Thursday at 9:30 AM, driving his white Suzuki Grand to Cairo Roundabout to pick up a message and repair his car. However, Al-‘Alimi was delayed in returning, and the family lost contact with him after his phone was turned off.

According to the information received, Al-Alimi's family got a call from a woman in Aden half an hour after they lost contact with him. The woman reported that she visited someone in a detention center in the Sheikh Othman sector, near Al-Shawkani and the elderly care home, and informed them that Fahmi was being held there. The woman added that Fahmi had given her his wife's phone number and asked her to call and reassure her that he was fine and detained.

At 10:00 PM, Al-Alimi's family was informed that he had been transferred to the Security Belt Camp in Al-Nasr, the main headquarters of the Security Belt. Until now, no one has been able to visit him or understand the clear reasons for his detention. Based on available information, two charges were directed at Fahmi Al-Alimi: working with the Reformist Channel (Belqees) and distributing reports that destabilize security and stability in Aden.

SAM affirms that the abduction of journalist Al-Alimi is a serious action that undermines human rights and threatens fundamental freedoms, creating a state of terror within the community. The organization points out that the detention procedures violate national laws which stipulate that detention should be carried out based on an official warrant and clear, unequivocal charges. SAM considers the actions of the Security Belt forces to amount to arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance.

SAM expresses its strong condemnation of the abduction of journalist Fahmi Al-Alimi and urges the authorities in Aden to promptly release him unconditionally. The organization also calls for an end to the harassment of journalists and activists and for the creation of a suitable environment for journalistic work that guarantees freedom of expression and human rights.

SAM calls on the international community and human rights organizations to pressure the authorities in Aden to ensure the immediate release of journalist Fahmi Al-Alimi and to protect the rights of journalists and activists in Yemen.