Sana'a: The Specialized Criminal Division in the capital Sana'a held its session on Monday to pronounce judgment in the case of Emad Shayea, accused of espionage for the enemy within a spy network affiliated with US, Saudi, and Israeli intelligence.

According to Yemen News Agency, during the session, which was presided over by Judge Abdullah al-Najjar, with Judges Hussein al-Azzi and Mohammed Muflih as members, Judge Mohammed Muflih requested to recuse himself from the case due to a perceived conflict of interest. The session was attended by Prosecutor Fouad Hassan and the division's secretary, Abdul Salam Abbad.

The division, in the presence of the defense attorney, decided to refer the recusal request to the head of the Sana'a Appeals Court for a ruling and to take the necessary legal action. This decision comes after the division previously granted the defendant an opportunity to respond to a medical report concerning his health condition.

Last January, the division issued rulings upholding the convictions of 14 defendants within the network for committing espionage crimes on behalf of hostile states during the period 2024-2025. The indictment outlined espionage crimes that included providing the enemy with sensitive political, military, and security information, as well as strategic sites and facilities. Additionally, the network was accused of recruiting citizens and planting surveillance equipment in exchange for money, actions that allegedly led to the targeting of military and civilian sites, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds and widespread destruction of infrastructure.