Sana'a: The Specialized Criminal Court in Sana'a allowed lawyers representing the first, second, and fourth defendants in a case involving an armed gang accused of murder and arson in Sana'a and Al-Dhale' to obtain copies of the case file and respond to the prosecution's submissions on Sunday. The court, led by Judge Abdullah Al-Hamzi, also permitted the public and private prosecution to address the defenses provided by the fifth defendant's lawyer at the next hearing.
According to Yemen News Agency, the prosecution charged seven defendants with forming an armed gang in November 2025, aimed at attacking civilians and destabilizing security. The charges against them include shooting at houses and a hotel belonging to victims in various parts of Sana'a, resulting in one death, an attempted murder, property damage, the burning of a vehicle, and a grenade attack on a water well in Damt. The defendants were also accused of possessing unlicensed weapons and grenades.
In a separate session, the court initiated the trial of three defendants involved in the killing of Wafa Saddam Al-Basha near the Ministry of Information in the Al-Thawra District of Sana'a. The indictment alleged that the first and second defendants formed an armed gang with others to commit extortion and looting, as well as the kidnapping and assault of Al-Basha and her companion, which led to her death and an attempted murder.
The third defendant confessed to firing shots mistakenly after hearing Al-Basha's calls for help, claiming he aimed to disable the vehicle's tires after the first defendant had kidnapped her and her companion. The court has summoned the second victim and others reportedly pursued by the first and second defendants to attend the next hearing, where the proceedings will continue.
Security authorities announced the arrest of the suspects one day after the killing on October 30, 2025, which led to widespread public outrage and condemnation.