SAM for Rights and Liberties expresses its grave concern over the continued detention of a number of citizens in Hadramout Governorate, despite the expiration of some of their prison sentences and the issuance of final, enforceable court rulings acquitting others and ordering their release. This constitutes a clear violation of the principles of justice and the rule of law, and poses a direct threat to the authority of the judiciary and public trust in state institutions.
The organization is particularly concerned about the case of citizen Sorour Saeed Al-Obeidi, who has been held at the Central Prison in Mukalla for more than ten years, despite a series of court rulings acquitting him—beginning with the Court of First Instance, followed by the Court of Appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court—all of which found him not guilty and ordered his release. SAM affirms that his continued detention in the face of final acquittal rulings constitutes arbitrary detention and a grave breach of the most basic guarantees of justice.
According to testimonies received by the organization and follow-ups with his family, Al-Obeidi’s relatives have exhausted all legal and official avenues over the past years, including the Office of the Public Prosecutor, which directed the Criminal Prosecution in Hadramout Governorate to enforce the court rulings and release him. However, these directives have not been implemented to date, raising serious questions about the reasons behind the obstruction of justice and those responsible for it.
SAM notes that political tensions and power struggles among influential actors over recent years have directly contributed to turning the cases of some detainees into “pending cases,” creating an environment in which security decisions have become entangled with political calculations—at the expense of the law and human rights. The organization stresses that any detention outside the judicial framework, or the continued detention of individuals despite acquittal or completion of their sentences, cannot be justified under any security or political pretext.
In this context, SAM emphasizes that obstructing the enforcement of judicial rulings and release orders issued by courts and the Public Prosecution is not merely an administrative lapse or procedural delay; rather, it amounts to a serious violation and an assault on judicial authority. It constitutes a crime against justice and judicial orders, warranting investigation, legal accountability, and the prosecution of all those responsible for the continued unlawful detention of citizens.
SAM further highlights that the impact of these cases has not been limited to the detainees themselves, but has extended harshly to their families, who have endured years of suffering, deprivation, and uncertainty. The wives and children of detainees have borne severe psychological, economic, and social burdens, including children who have grown up separated from their fathers through no fault of their own—an image that starkly reflects a painful failure to protect the right to liberty and human dignity.
Accordingly, SAM for Rights and Liberties calls for the following:
The immediate and unconditional release of Sorour Saeed Al-Obeidi, and the prompt enforcement of the final judicial rulings acquitting him, without any delay.
The urgent release of all detainees whose sentences have expired or who are subject to judicial release orders that have not been implemented.
The formation of an independent legal committee to review the files of long-term detainees, verify the legality of their detention, and ensure their right to a fair trial.
The opening of a transparent official investigation into the reasons for obstructing the enforcement of court rulings and Public Prosecution directives, with clear determination of responsibility.
Reparation and compensation for victims and their families for the humanitarian, living, and psychological harm suffered as a result of unlawful detention.
The organization also documents repeated demands from families regarding a number of detained individuals, including:
Sorour Saeed Abdullah Al-Obeidi
Mohammed Saeed Bawazir
Walid Shamrakh
Ali Ismail Al-Souri
Abu Abdulrahman Al-Tounsi
Ibrahim Abdulkhaleq Aboulan
Mahmoud Wajih Jaafar
Mohammed Balqadi
Sultan Zouran
In conclusion, SAM affirms that respect for judicial rulings and the enforcement of release orders is not a matter of political choice, nor subject to bargaining or neglect. It is a legal and constitutional obligation. Any continued obstruction of justice only deepens societal tension, fuels a sense of injustice, and undermines trust in the state.