Names of Baha’i prisoners detained in Houthi prisons as known to the “Yemeni Initiative for Defending Baha’is Rights”

 

Since its launch, the Yemeni Initiative for Defending Baha’i Rights has recorded more than 80 cases of arrests of various periods as part of campaigns targeting Baha’is because of their belief.

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1. Mr.  Hamed Kamal Bin Haydara

National Security arrested Mr. Bin Haydara on December 3rd 2013 at his workplace as an engineer at the liquefied natural gas company in port Balhaf.  He was placed in an unidentified location and severely tortured (including electric shocks and being injected with unknown materials) for nearly a year by the National Security.  He was then sent to the central prison in Sana’a after human rights organizations were able to locate his place of detention.  The National Security made a series of false and conflicting accusations against Mr. Bin Haydara and transferred his file to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution which kept him in prison and his case pending.  The Specialized Criminal Prosecution refused his release on bail despite the unlawful arrest and the torture he was subjected to.  He also denied the much needed medical treatment needed to tend to the injuries he sustained from the torture.  This resulted in deterioration of his health condition, disability in his foot, and hearing loss in one of his ears.  During his imprisonment, he was harassed and placed in solitary confinement several times.  On January 2nd 2018, Judge Abdu Ismail Rajih issued a ruling calling for the death penalty against Hamed Bin Haydara and the confiscation of all his properties; in addition to other several rulings pertaining to the Baha’i community in Yemen.  

On July 30th the Yemeni society was shocked by the Houthis’ decision to deport and exile Mr. Hamid Bin Haydara along with other Baha’i detainees from prison directly outside Yemen and not allowing them to meet their family members and relatives prior to their deportation.

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2. Mr.  Waleed Saleh Ayyash

Mr. Ayyash was detained several times.  He was subjected to very severe torture for several months at the hands of the National Security during his first arrest.  His last arrest was on April 20th 2017, and he is still detained in an undisclosed location.  His family and lawyer were not allowed to see him.  Sheikh Waleed Ayyash is a very well-known tribal figure in Sana’a and known for his love and devotion to Yemen.  Sheikh Waleed is one of the most prominent activists in promoting the culture of coexistence in the country.

On July 30th the Yemeni society was shocked by the Houthis’ decision to deport and exile Mr. Waleed Ayyash along with other Baha’i detainees from prison directly outside Yemen and not allowing them to meet their family members and relatives prior to their deportation.

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3. Mr.  Mahmud Hameed

Mr. Mahmud Hameed was arrested with Sheikh Waleed Ayyash on April 20, 2017. Mr. Hameed was forcibly detained in an undisclosed location. Both his family and lawyer have not been able to meet him. The Yemeni Initiative has no information about his current whereabouts.

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4. Mr.  Kayvan Mohammad Ghaderi

Mr. Kayvan Ghaderi was detained several times.  His latest arrest was on August 10th 2016 by the National Security.  And he is still detained.  Born, raised, and educated in Yemen, Mr. Ghaderi is a true Yemeni in heart.  Denying him the right to obtain Yemeni nationality despite his full entitlement is another form of persecution suffered by the Baha’is in Yemen.  He is known for his volunteer work and community service efforts in Sana’a.

On July 30th the Yemeni society was shocked by the Houthis’ decision to deport and exile Mr. Kayvan Ghaderi along with other Baha’i detainees from prison directly outside Yemen and not allowing them to meet their family members and relatives prior to their deportation.

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5. Mr.  Badiullah Sanai

On May 25th  2017 Mr. Badiullah Sanai was detained for a second time by the National Security.  He was taken from his place of work at the General Authority for Land Survey and Urban planning.  He is still detained until now and his family and his lawyer are rarely allowed to see him.  It is worth noting that Engineer Sanai is a well-known Yemeni figure who has significantly contributed to the building of infrastructure projects and the development in Yemen for nearly 50 years.  He was honored by the Presidency of the Republic for his great efforts and achievements.   

On July 30th the Yemeni society was shocked by the Houthis’ decision to deport and exile Mr. Badiullah Sanai along with other Baha’i detainees from prison directly outside Yemen and not allowing them to meet their family members and relatives prior to their deportation.

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6. Mr.  Wael Ibrahim Al-Arieghie

Mr. Al-Arieghie was arrested for the second time on May 24th 2017 when members of the National Security in civilian clothes kidnapped him off the streets in central Sana’a.  Mr. Al-Arieghie remains detained in an undisclosed location.  Both his family and lawyer have not been able to meet him. 

On July 30th the Yemeni society was shocked by the Houthis’ decision to deport and exile Mr. Wael Al-Arieghie along with other Baha’i detainees from prison directly outside Yemen and not allowing them to meet their family members and relatives prior to their deportation.

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7. Mr.  Akram Saleh Ayyash

Mr. Akram Ayyash was detained several times.  His most recent arrest took place on 22nd October 2017.  He remains detained in an undisclosed location.  Both his family and lawyer have not been allowed to visit him.  Mr. Akram Ayyash was detained several times.  His most recent arrest took place on 22nd October 2017.  He remains detained in an undisclosed location.  Both his family and lawyer have not been allowed to visit him. 

On July 30th the Yemeni society was shocked by the Houthis’ decision to deport and exile Mr. Akram Ayyash along with other Baha’i detainees from prison directly outside Yemen and not allowing them to meet their family members and relatives prior to their deportation.

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