Court displays items seized from Al-Houthi followers [Archives:2006/924/Local News]
SANA'A, Feb. 21 ) The specialized court held a session Monday, Feb. 19 to try 36 suspected Al-Houthi followers accused of forming an armed cell to conduct acts of sabotage in Sana'a, including blasts that occurred in the capital city.
Other accusations include planning to storm government institutions like political security, the television station and the first armed contingency, in addition to planning to assassinate political and military leaders.
The court granted Prosecution an extra opportunity to present its remaining evidence against the cell, determining that it would hear evidence against suspects No. 19-36.
The evidence list of suspects No. 17, 18 and19 and their confessions to joining subversive actions were read from evidence collection minutes and Prosecution investigations. Such evidence included their participation in acts of sabotage that targeted military, police and security institutions and personnel. Suspects also attacked army and police vehicles, which resulted in the death of Major Ismail Al-Moayad and the injury of another 17 military men and civilians.
When asked by the court to answer the accusations, suspects stated that they do not recognize the court and consider it illegal. They began shouting slogans, forcing the judge to remove them from the courtroom.
Items seized with the 36 suspects were displayed in the courtroom, including 21 dynamite rods, 10 Kalishnikov rifles, electric detonators and pistols, two of which were in the form of pens. There also were military and sweepers' uniforms, disguise apparatus, colored lenses and 12 low-cost missiles, two of which were not brought to court. Also displayed were more than 10 mobile phones to be used for calling and remote detonations. Among the seized items were two Crown and Cressida cars and videotaped lectures by Hussein Badredeen Al-Houthi.
Al-Houthi was killed last year during confrontations with government forces. Only one woman is among the 36 suspects, seven of whom are being tried in absentia, as they have not yet been arrested. Security forces arrested the cell members suspected of being Al-Houthi followers during armed confrontations in Sana'a.
Several Sa'ada tribal sources said security situations are witnessing relative calm this week, with the exception of Dhaian area due to tension between Al-Houthi followers and security forces. However, no casualties were reported.
The same sources attributed the calm to promises of new governor Yahia Al-Shami, who promised Al-Houthi groups to reach a solution satisfying all parties and meeting their demands. Among Al-Houthi followers' demands is releasing their followers, halting pursuits, compensating war victims, declaring amnesty, offering safety to all Al-Houthi followers and withdrawing military forces as far as possible from the area.
Al-Shami hopes to resolve confrontations with Al-Houthi followers and reinforce security and stability in the governorate. He affirmed the role and duty of governorate chiefs and residents in stopping bloodshed between Yemenis. Al-Shami declared the safe return of all opponents to their homes, also promising to either compensate or safely reinstate all opposing employees to their jobs and release prisoners if they demonstrated good will.
According to sources, Al-Shami directed the army not to use heavy weapons against Al-Houthi fortifications, which observers consider is bona fide. Al-Shami also adopted a new truce to pave the way for mediators' success.
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