The director of the Al-Shamaytayn district, Abdulaziz Al-Shaybani, along with armed escorts, allegedly verbally and physically assaulted media activist Hisham Al-Samman, threatening him with abduction and liquidation. The incident reportedly stemmed from Al-Samman's critical opinions and social media posts. According to Al-Samman, the confrontation occurred at a wedding reception in the Al-Duhi neighborhood of Taiz city. He stated that while filming guests, Al-Shaybani and his companions approached him aggressively, attempting to forcibly remove him from the venue. Al-Samman reported that Al-Shaybani used derogatory language and instructed his escorts to drag him outside. Al-Samman attempted to de-escalate the situation, emphasizing that his criticisms pertained to public services, sanitation, and infrastructure, not personal matters. The threats reportedly continued as Al-Shaybani departed, with the official warning Al-Samman of illegal arrest and stating that his activities were being monitored. Al-Shaybani allegedly claimed that Al-Samman's file was prepared and his posts were under surveillance. Following the incident, Al-Samman filed a formal report with the Criminal Investigation Department in Taiz, holding Al-Shaybani responsible for his safety. This event occurs amidst growing concerns over the suppression of activists and journalists in Taiz, a region reportedly controlled by security and military forces affiliated with the Islah party, where influence and armed displays are allegedly used to settle scores following criticism of official performance. |
