Wife Appeals for UN Staffer's Release After Two Years in Houthi Custody

The wife of a United Nations official, Sami Lotf Al-Kilabi, has renewed her urgent appeal for his release from Houthi detention in Sana'a, where he has been held for two full years. Al-Kilabi, an employee of the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, is reportedly suffering from severe health deterioration.

Huda Al-Ra'di, Al-Kilabi's wife, stated that her husband has spent 730 days in prison, enduring immense psychological suffering alongside the family, who have lived in constant anxiety regarding his fate. The prolonged detention period has coincided with a significant decline in his health.

According to Al-Ra'di, Al-Kilabi developed trigeminal neuralgia, a severe facial nerve condition, and was later diagnosed with Crohn's disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the digestive system. His condition further worsened, leading to acute kidney dysfunction, necessitating hospitalization and several days in intensive care.

Al-Ra'di emphasized that the right to healthcare is a fundamental right guaranteed by international law and cannot be compromised under any circumstances. She asserted that her appeal is driven purely by humanitarian concerns, aiming to end her family's suffering and ascertain her husband's clear fate.

She called upon all parties and entities capable of intervention to act swiftly to resolve this humanitarian issue, secure her husband's release, and reunite him with his family. Al-Kilabi was reportedly abducted by Houthi militias as part of a widespread campaign targeting UN personnel and staff from international and local organizations in Sana'a.