Kidnapped journalist tortured as writer survives assassination attempt

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According to the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on 29th November journalist Khalee Omran was subjected to torture while in captivity, and his health deteriorated. Along with 8 colleagues, Khalee Omran was kidnapped by Houthi rebels in Sana’a on 9th June 2015. He remains captive in the “political security” prison in Sana'a and, like the others, has been subject to repeated torture.

On 29th December, in an assassination attempt a group of armed men shot at writer Mohammed Ali. The attack was believed to be linked to the recent publication of his book entitled "The Criticism Of Quran Inimitability”. 

As recently reported by the IFJ, the freedom of expression continues to be severely violated in Yemen:

'In total, 16 journalists remain captive and 8 have been killed in Yemen in 2016, according to IFJ figures. In addition, the YJS recently recorded over 100 cases of rights violations...[including] 11 cases of torture, 10 cases of attempted murder, 24 cases of abduction and detention, 12 cases of assault on journalists, media offices and private property, 13 cases of threats and incitement against journalists, 13 cases of blocking internal and external web sites, 7 cases of stopped salaries and dismissals and confiscation of journalist’s equipment and newspapers, and two trials.'