Houthi Court Fines Rights Activist Over Corruption Allegations Against Official

A court operating under Houthi authority in Ibb Governorate has issued a ruling against human rights activist Mursil Al-Shubaibi, imposing a fine and requiring him to sign a written commitment against publishing further criticisms targeting a local official accused of corruption.

Al-Shubaibi confirmed via a Facebook post on Sunday that the judgment includes a monetary fine of 70,000 Yemeni Riyals, to be deposited into the so-called "State Treasury," alongside a payment of 200,000 Riyals as compensation to the plaintiff, Ibrahim Al-Shami, who was appointed by the coup authority in Sana'a as the Director of the Public Works Office in the governorate.

The activist detailed that the ruling mandates the deletion of the posts that formed the basis of the lawsuit, publishing an apology on his personal page, and submitting a written pledge not to address the plaintiff again, secured by guarantees. Al-Shubaibi indicated that he has already filed an appeal against this verdict.

Al-Shubaibi revealed that he underwent approximately 20 investigation and interrogation sessions over the past months following publications criticizing the performance of the Director of the Public Works Office, specifically concerning allegations of tampering with street planning schemes within the governorate.

This case underscores the escalating pressure faced by activists in Ibb and highlights the continued utilization of the judiciary as a mechanism to suppress any criticism of administrative corruption under the Houthi control of state institutions in the governorate.