Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that on Tuesday, October 1st, the Specialized Criminal Court for Terrorism Cases in Aden issued a decision considering seven journalists and human rights activists as fugitives from justice. They are accused of participating in an armed gang and inciting the killing of a military commander, based on unfounded and fabricated charges. This reflects the exploitation of the judiciary by the de facto authorities in Aden to persecute journalists over their opinions.
SAM reviewed a statement in which the journalists (Abdulaziz Mohammed Youssef Al-Majidi, Weam Ali Mohammed Al-Soufi, Ahmed Mohammed Amin Al-Dhabahani, Walid Tawfiq Abdulmajid, Mukhtar Mohammed Al-Wajeeh, Yasser Mahyoub Abdulaziz Al-Maliki, and Amroos Ahmed Al-Samadi) were informed that since the killing of Brigadier General Al-Hammadi by his brother, according to authorities, they have been subjected to a campaign of incitement that caused severe psychological, moral, and material harm to them and their families. They faced a series of death threats, insults, and defamation through social media pages.
The journalists pointed out that the case oddly ignored legal procedures and principles, diluting all notions of fair and impartial justice. Notably, after the formation of the Specialized Criminal Court in Taiz, all previous case files were transferred from Aden to Taiz, except for Al-Hammadi's case file, which was concealed in Aden. Although information indicated the prosecution intended to send it, pressures prevented this, according to the statement.
They noted that the court had decided to proceed with the trial of those detained in connection with the case without considering the incitement claims against them (the journalists). However, those manipulating the case reset it to the beginning with a new accusation of "participating in forming an armed gang," confirming that the case has been subject to continuous fabrication, mocking the law and justice.
SAM emphasized that these practices legitimize judicial manipulation and turn it into a tool for settling political scores. Instead of being an instrument for achieving justice, the judiciary has become a means of revenge against political opponents. This reflects a state of chaos and collapse in the judicial system. The organization affirmed that using the judiciary to persecute journalists and activists because of their opinions is a blatant violation of freedom of expression and the right of individuals to voice their views on public affairs.
The organization considered directing serious accusations against journalists and activists merely for expressing their opinions about a public figure in a criminal case as irresponsible behavior. This has led to death threats and intimidation for them and their families, confirming that the case has been diverted from its true path and exploited politically.
SAM expressed its strong condemnation of the incitement practiced against the journalists, which coincides with the charges directed at them. It affirmed its absolute rejection of the de facto authorities' use of the judiciary to persecute journalists who have the right to write and express their opinions freely without fear of retaliation or threat.
SAM called on the Presidential Leadership Council and the Supreme Judicial Council to take immediate steps to protect journalists' rights and ensure the independence of the judiciary. This includes enhancing mechanisms that prevent unjustified interventions in the judiciary's work and providing a safe environment for journalists to perform their duties without fear of retaliation or threat. Laws and legislation related to the independence of the judiciary should be strengthened so that judges can make decisions based solely on facts and law, free from any external influence. There must also be clear guarantees to protect journalists' rights, contributing to the promotion of justice and accountability and restoring confidence in the judicial system as a means to achieve equity.