Rights Group Alleges Houthi Threats Against Detained Lawyer Sabra Over Rights Work

The SAM Organization for Rights and Freedoms expressed profound concern regarding the safety of detained lawyer Abdulmajeed Sabra, citing new information indicating he has faced repeated threats aimed at forcing him to abandon his human rights defense cases, alongside visible physical injuries observed during a recent visit.

The organization reported that a visit by one of Sabra's relatives, following his transfer to a prison controlled by the Security and Intelligence apparatus in the Mathbah area of Sana'a, revealed noticeable exhaustion and pallor. Furthermore, the relative observed a recent wound on Sabra's chin that required surgical sutures, for which no official explanation was provided. This raises serious concerns regarding mistreatment or excessive force used during his prolonged detention, which has been characterized by a lack of fundamental legal guarantees and restricted communication.

According to the visitor's testimony, Sabra stated he received three direct threats while in custody, specifically demanding that he cease his human rights advocacy and discontinue pursuing the legal cases he was handling. SAM considers these allegations, if substantiated, to constitute grave violations of international human rights law, particularly the absolute prohibition against torture and ill-treatment.

This development follows Sabra's arbitrary detention on September 25, 2025, less than 24 hours after he publicly expressed critical views concerning freedom of expression and discrimination in permitting political activities. An armed force reportedly stormed his office and forcibly removed him to an unknown location while confiscating his personal belongings.

The organization asserts that targeting lawyers for performing their professional and human rights duties severely undermines the foundations of justice and the rule of law, representing an attempt to subject the independence of the legal profession to illegitimate pressure. SAM called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Sabra’s injury and the threats he reported, to be conducted by an impartial judicial body under the supervision of independent oversight mechanisms.

The organization further demanded that Sabra be guaranteed urgent and independent medical care, allowed regular contact with his family and legal counsel, and ensured his detention adheres to the Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. SAM stressed the necessity of providing effective protection for human rights defenders in Yemen and renewed its appeal to the international community and United Nations mechanisms to monitor his case and press for his safety and release.