Houthi court sentences 17 to death in espionage case

A court affiliated with Yemen’s Houthi movement in Sana’a has sentenced 17 people to death by firing squad after convicting them of spying for the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Israel, the group’s run Saba News Agency reported on Saturday.

According to the agency, the specialised criminal court ruled that the executions be carried out in a public place “as a deterrent”. Two additional defendants were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, while a third was acquitted.

The court found the defendants guilty of communicating with foreign intelligence services, including the CIA, MI6, Saudi intelligence and the Israeli Mossad. The prosecution alleged that the accused had received encrypted communication devices, tracking software, and training in the use of concealed cameras, and had transmitted information on the locations and movements of Houthi leaders, as well as missile sites and storage facilities.

The authorities claim that this information contributed to attacks on military, security and civilian locations, resulting in deaths and damage to infrastructure.

The verdicts come amid heightened tensions in Yemen, where the Houthis continue to tighten their grip on areas under their control and routinely accuse opponents of espionage for foreign powers.