Yemen Monitor/Special Report:
Yemeni journalists and activists have called on the Houthi armed group to release journalist Mohammed al-Miyahi and to cease prosecuting individuals, affirming that freedom of opinion and expression is a fundamental human right.
Under the hashtag #FreeMohammedAlMiyahi, journalists and activists have tweeted, demanding the release of al-Miyahi, who has been detained since September 20 in Houthi prisons following his criticism of the group’s leader and his celebrations.
The campaigners called for widespread interaction, expressing solidarity with al-Miyahi, condemning his treatment in Houthi prisons, and demanding his release.
Writer Riyadh al-Ghayli stated, “It seems that journalist al-Miyahi is the one refusing to leave Houthi prison, especially since Houthi prisons have become rivals to Norwegian and Swedish prisons in terms of comfort and relaxation”.(joking)
Journalist Anis Mansour said, “When a journalist becomes a target, truth becomes a victim. The arrest of Mohammed al-Miyahi is a violation that cannot be ignored.”
He pointed out that “the arrest of Mohammed al-Miyahi is not just the imprisonment of one person, but the imprisonment of the principles that respect freedom of the press and human dignity. The arrest of free-thinking individuals will not create a stable future, but will deepen the wounds of the nation and open the door to more injustice and oppression.”
Ala bin Sahl said, “My friend, writer Mohammed al-Miyahi, has a clear vision for the homeland. I have known him for a long time, and we have worked together to build a united Yemen that accommodates everyone. He has done no wrong to anyone, as he always criticized objectively anyone who harms Yemen. So what crime has he committed to be detained in Houthi prisons?”
The Yemen Press Freedom Observatory announced at the beginning of this month that Ahmed Maher and Mohammed al-Miyahi won the 2024 Journalism Courage Award, and the late colleague Mohammed al-Absi was awarded the Courage Medal.
Al-Miyahi was abducted on September 20 from his home by forces affiliated with the Houthi group in Sana’a, who raided his home and confiscated some of the colleague’s belongings. Since then, the circumstances of the abduction have been shrouded in disturbing secrecy.
