Daughter of Abducted Yemeni Activist Sahar Al-Khawlani Appeals for Intervention

Kayan Suhaib Al-Maqaleh, the daughter of detained Yemeni activist Sahar Al-Khawlani, has issued a desperate appeal to the Prosecutor General in Sana'a, demanding the immediate release of her parents and clarification regarding their forced disappearance at the hands of Houthi militants.

Al-Maqaleh reported that for the past seven months, her family has unsuccessfully sought assistance from the Prosecutor General’s office. According to her account, officials have repeatedly directed the family to the Security and Intelligence Bureau, prompting Al-Maqaleh to question the efficacy and independence of the judicial authorities. She challenged the hierarchy of the legal system, asking whether the Prosecutor General holds authority over security apparatuses or if the reverse is true.

The situation has escalated into direct intimidation, with Al-Maqaleh alleging that a security officer recently summoned a police patrol to threaten family members with abduction simply for attempting to access the Prosecutor General’s office. She noted that her mother, Sahar Al-Khawlani, has been held in solitary confinement for eight months without any formal legal charges or due process.

In her public plea, Al-Maqaleh questioned the integrity of the judicial system and the silence of government officials, including the Minister of Justice, regarding the ongoing violations. She demanded accountability for the actions taken by the security forces and reiterated her urgent call for the unconditional release of her parents.

Sahar Al-Khawlani was abducted on January 11, when Houthi militants surrounded and raided her home. The event was documented by Al-Khawlani herself during a live social media broadcast before she and her husband were taken to an undisclosed location. Known for her vocal criticism of Houthi policies and the systemic abuses she and her family endured, Al-Khawlani remains a prominent figure in the ongoing struggle against arbitrary detentions in the region.