Sana'a: The Specialized Criminal Division in the capital city of Sana'a convened its second session to try the first group accused of espionage for the enemy, specifically as part of a spy network linked to British intelligence.
According to Yemen News Agency, the session was presided over by Judge Abdullah al-Najjar, head of the division, with Judges Hussein al-Azzi and Mohammed Muflih as members. Prosecutor Ali al-Julahi and Court Clerk Abdulsalam Ubad were also present. During the proceedings, the court granted the defendants an opportunity to submit appeals at a future session.
In the previous January session, the primary court convicted members of this group along with an additional group of six. The court sentenced eight of these individuals to death, while the ninth received a 15-year prison sentence. They were found guilty of spying for Saudi Arabia and Britain between 2021 and 2025. Their activities included gathering intelligence on leaders and locations in Sana'a and conducting surveillance and infiltration operations for monetary compensation and gold bullion. The aim of these operations was to harm the Republic of Yemen and recruit agents for foreign intelligence services.
In a separate case, the criminal division reserved judgment concerning a seven-member terrorist cell led by Naji Mohammed Okasha Younis al-Khouli. A date has been set for the verdict.
The initial ruling found Okasha, an Egyptian national, guilty of leading an al-Qaeda-affiliated cell responsible for murder, theft, kidnapping, and resisting authorities, sentencing him to death by firing squad. Majid Farhan Ahmed Mohammed, Shamsan Nasr Ali Ahmed, and Badr Saleh Abdo Hazam were also sentenced to death. Meanwhile, Abubakr Farhan Ahmed Mohammed and Sadiq Abdo Ahmed Abdo each received a 15-year prison sentence, and Hani Farhan Ahmed Mohammed was sentenced to ten years in prison.