IN ABSENTIA TRIAL FOR HOUTHI LAWMAKER OPENS IN YEMEN

SANA'A, Oct. 26 (Saba) – Yemen started on Monday an in-absentia trial of Houthi MP with prosecutors accusing the fugitive lawmaker of forming an armed gang and inciting a rebellion against the legitimate authority.

Prosecutors said Yahya al-Houthi, who is living in Germany, participated in forming an armed group that collected illegal materials and was involved in subversion in several Yemen governorates.

The gang killed the troops and the people, looted the public properties, and plotted to assassinate local and foreign officials in Yemen including the U.S. ambassador, prosecutors said, adding the group also propagated misinformation with the aim to disturb the country and break law.

Yahya Badr al-Din al-Houthi is the brother of the rebel leader Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi who was killed in the battles with the army in 2004.

The trial was adjourned to November.

The army has been battling the Houthi insurgents in Saada and Amran in the far north since 2004.

In August this year, the army launched an offensive against the insurgents after they insisted on lawbreaking attacking the troops and the people as well as committing lottery.

Hundreds of the rebels have been killed, wounded and arrested and many others surrendered to the authorities so far.

FR