Aden (South24 Center)

The United States and Britain condemned on Tuesday (November 25) the Houthi group's decision to issue death sentences against 17 Yemenis on charges of espionage following trials in Sanaa described by both nations as "arbitrary" and constituting a blatant violation of legal and humanitarian standards.

In separate statements, the embassies of the U.S. and U.K. stated that "these sham trials and unjust convictions confirm that the Houthis rule only through fear and intimidation”, which they termed as part of the group’s escalating repression policy targeting relief and diplomatic workers in areas under its control.

The two nations renewed their call for the "immediate release" of all UN staff and relief organization employees detained by the Houthis, emphasizing the necessity for the Iran-backed group to respect its international obligations regarding the protection of humanitarian workers.

A Houthi-affiliated court in Sana'a had on November 22 issued death sentences by firing squad against 17 individuals accusing them of spying for the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, according to the group's "Saba" news agency, which stated that the case involved an "espionage network" linked to foreign intelligence.

Abdul Basit Ghazi, head of the Detainees Defense Committee, told the German Press Agency (DPA) that the court charged the convicted individuals with espionage, noting that among those sentenced was a person the group considers a "fugitive from justice."

Ghazi added that the court also sentenced a woman to ten years in prison and a man to three years, while acquitting two defendants. He explained that the defense team immediately appealed against the sentences before the Criminal Division, noting that the decisions were "discretionary punishments" unrelated to hudud or qisas rulings.

The group on November 10 began the first sessions of the trial of 21 individuals accused of belonging to what it calls a "joint espionage network."