Yemen's Houthi Court Sentences 19 to Death Amid Heated Conflict

A court under Houthi control in Yemen has issued death sentences to 19 people, convicting them of aiding the Saudi-led coalition. This decision coincides with a recent agreement on a large-scale prisoner exchange between opposing groups in the country's persistent conflict.

The verdict verdict was delivered by the Specialized Criminal Court in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, with four others receiving various prison sentences. The defendants faced charges of forming an armed group supportive of the Saudi coalition from 2015 to 2023 and targeting Houthi checkpoints in the Dhale province.

Yemen's civil war began in 2014, leading to a severe and extended crackdown by the Houthis in their dominated regions. Human rights organizations have criticized the judicial processes, citing previous executions and unbalanced trials in the Houthi-controlled territories.

(With inputs from agencies.)