“Statement Condemning the Arrest of a Journalist by Taiz Security Administration and the Confiscation of His Personal Belongings”

“Mayyun Human Rights Organization Condemns Arbitrary Arrest of Journalist Majdi Al-Samadi in Taiz
Mayyuun Human Rights Organization strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of journalist Majdi Al-Samadi by the security apparatus in Taiz Governorate, affiliated with the internationally recognized government.

This act includes violations of his privacy and the illegal confiscation of his personal belongings.
Journalist Majdi Al-Samadi has been residing in Taiz City for four months after fleeing the capital, Sana’a, due to a series of abuses he suffered at the hands of the armed Houthi group’s security apparatus. These abuses began with the closure of his radio station, confiscation of its equipment, and escalated to physical assault.

According to information received by Mion, journalist Majdi received a call from Taiz Governorate Security Directorate, summoning him to their headquarters. Upon arrival on August 19th, he was interrogated about his work and the details of his life during his stay in the city. The interrogators also confiscated his mobile phone and forced him to unlock it.

Taiz Security Directorate has not pressed any charges against Majdi, nor has he been summoned in connection with any case. He was not informed of the reasons for his summons, which are violations that are criminalized by the Yemeni Constitution, Yemeni laws, and international human rights agreements and treaties to which Yemen is a party, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Yemeni law regulates the rules, procedures, and conditions of summons, investigation, and deprivation of liberty.

It criminalizes all forms of violation of the right to privacy and the violation of the sanctity and secrecy of correspondence, including the search of telephones without a warrant from the public prosecution and for specific purposes.
While Mayyuun affirms that Taiz Security Directorate has violated all of these legal procedures, it draws attention to the danger of condoning crimes of privacy violations committed by security agencies under flexible pretenses such as “security measures and precautions.” Victims are subsequently subjected to blackmail and retroactive framing of charges.

Issued by Mayyuun Human Rights Organization
August 21, 2024″