Judge Demands Transparent Probe into Woman's Abduction and Death in Sana'a

Judge Abdulwahab Qatran has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the abduction and death of Fatima Mohammed Al-Hawsali in Sana'a, a city under Houthi militia control. He demanded accountability for all involved parties and urged for the case's details to be revealed to the public, accusing security agencies of attempting to obstruct justice.

Qatran stated on his Facebook page that Al-Hawsali's case represents a "true test of the law's authority," emphasizing that the victim's "blood and honor are not for sale." He asserted that any attempts to settle or drop the case would be a violation of justice principles.

According to the victim's family, Al-Hawsali, 47, disappeared on the evening of May 31 after leaving a relative's home in the Qaa Al-Alifi neighborhood of Sana'a. She was found unconscious the following day and taken to the Republican Hospital, where she remained in intensive care until her death on June 14.

Qatran noted that the victim's family accuses a group of individuals of kidnapping, detaining, assaulting, and raping Al-Hawsali. He confirmed these allegations are still under investigation and no final judicial ruling has been issued. The family reported receiving a call on Al-Hawsali's phone the day after her disappearance, with one of the accused individuals claiming she was with them and demanding that only women arrive at a specific location behind Kuwait Hospital to secure her release.

Security forces reportedly apprehended two suspects, Mujahid Mohammed Hazam Ramadan and Hussein Mohammed Al-Rajawi, along with the vehicle allegedly used in the abduction. Al-Hawsali was returned to her family in critical condition, unconscious and under the influence of sedatives, necessitating immediate hospitalization. She remained in intensive care for nearly two weeks before succumbing to her injuries.

Qatran accused some personnel from the Al-Alifi police station, including an individual reportedly related by marriage to one of the accused, of pressuring the victim's family to accept arbitration and drop the case for 11 million Yemeni riyals. He described this as an attempt to obfuscate the case and influence the investigation. Qatran added that one officer has been suspended, and an investigation has been launched by the capital's security committee into several department members concerning allegations of tampering with the case file.

The judge urged for the swift completion of investigations and the transparent disclosure of their findings to the public. He called for the independence of the prosecution and judiciary, free from any pressure or interference, and for the provision of necessary protection for the victim's family and witnesses. Qatran demanded that anyone proven to be involved, complicit, or obstructing justice be held legally accountable. He highlighted the widespread public anger and societal reaction to the case, calling for a fair and transparent trial that reveals the truth, provides justice for the victim, and enforces the law against all responsible parties.