Yemeni rights group apply to British DPP for arrest warrant to prosecute Ibn Salman

The Director of Human Rights for Yemen, Ms Kim Sharif, on Monday submitted an application to the Westminster Magistrates Court and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ms Alison Saunders, to issue a warrant for the arrest of Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Ibn Salman, for war crimes committed in Yemen in anticipation of his imminent visit to the UK.

The applicant submitted to the Court documents containing evidence of war crimes, witness’ statements exhibiting instances of war crimes and reports from reputable NGOs confirming the commission of these crimes.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), over 20 million people have been left aid dependent, UNICEF figures indicate that 130 children die per day due to malnutrition and disease occasioned by the illegal blockade. Nearly 1 million people have been affected by the ongoing cholera epidemic, largely attributable to the destruction of the country’s infrastructure: schools, hospitals, homes, mosques, heritage sites, media and journalists’ centres, funerals, weddings and all other vital civilian targets have been destroyed in the Saudi-led aerial bombardment.

A statement by the group said, “We believe that Saudi forces are committing war crimes, and violating the Geneva Conventions and its Protocols with impunity.”

There is jurisdiction in the UK to try war criminals and there is no immunity for such crimes, irrespective of where they have been committed.

Read: 1,000 days of Saudi war on Yemen, backed by the UK