Al-Houthi followers to recognize law and constitution [Archives:2006/926/Front Page]
Mustafa Rajeh
SANA'A, Mar. 5 ) The Supreme Security Committee, which contains the Ministers of Defense, Interior and security leaders, announced in a statement the release of 600 detainees imprisoned for participating in fighting with Al-Houthi groups or backing them in the Sa'ada War, which has continued since mid-2004.
Though the number of those released is not known precisely, the release decision came under amnesty issued by President Saleh last September. Sources said the release is the result of an undeclared deal between authorities and Al-Houthi groups represented by Abdulmalik Al-Houthi. The deal's details are not known, however sources say confidentiality is jointly agreed upon so as not to embarrass the authority which is preparing for September's presidential elections.
Considered part of the deal, Abdulmalik Al-Houthi issued a statement declaring his followers' compliance with the law, the constitution and the republican system. Sa'ada governor Yahya Al-Shami confirmed the same in a speech to 235 of the released detainees. He affirmed the necessity of rejecting violence and observing the law and the constitution.
He assured the state's commitment to set right all of the crisis's aftermath by granting amnesty, compensating victims and releasing all detainees, confirming their release last Thursday.
It is not yet clear whether amnesty will include hundreds of detainees still in Sana'a security prison. They were arrested at various times in the grand mosque while repeating their famous slogan, “Death to America! Death to Israel! Death to Jews! Victory to Islam!” Authorities released Dr. Abduraheem Humran, who was detained eight months ago.
Two clerics, Yahya Al-Dailami and Mohamed Miftah, remain in Central Prison. Tried by a special extraordinary court following their call for a peaceful sit-in denouncing the war's continuation, they later were accused of collaborating with a foreign country (Iran) to damage national security. Judgments against them, which were upheld by the appeals court, condemned Al-Dailami to death and Miftah to eight years' imprisonment. Ex-Haraz Judge Loqman received 10 years' imprisonment from the same court.
Amnesty did not include 36 insurgents accused of attacking soldiers and military vehicles in Sana'a in recent months. One officer was killed and 27 injured in the attacks.
Information reveals that authorities stipulated ceasing of the group's slogans in mosques and public places. Al-Houthi followers indicated their observation of such terms by passing a law banning repetition of the slogans.
State institutions are expected to reinstate fired Al-Houthi employees and return religious schools under Ministry of Education observation, as stated by the governor.
Observers expect fighting to end following the pleasure in Sa'ada and wide satisfaction among Al-Houthi followers at Al-Shami's appointment as new governor, replacing Hussein Al-Omari, who was transferred to Al-Baidha governorate. Previously Sa'ada governor in the mid-1980s, Al-Shami has good relations with sheikhs and Zaidi religious clerics there, sharing with inhabitants their beliefs and social associations.
Reconciliation appeared impossible before under a governor Al-Houthi followers and others considered an opponent. They also believe he was the reason for the break out of war. Previous agreements with authorities failed, among them an agreement with Abdullah Al-Rizami, Al-Houthi's partner in founding the Believing Youth.
Forty parliamentarians, accompanied by a large press delegation, ended a four-day visit to Sa'ada last Thursday. During the visit, which included all the war-torn regions in Maran Haidan Kitaf, Nishoor and Al-Rizamat, they met citizens who called for conveying their voice to authorities, demanding provision of education, health, electric and road projects.
Sources accompanying the delegation affirmed that an essential reason behind Al-Houthi's strong backing was his care in solving citizens' problems in these remote areas that receive nothing of their demands from the government. Jesting comments asserted that the region needs another Al-Houthi to speed road construction, as 30 kilometers of road were paved to facilitate military operations.
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