Sana’a – A prominent media figure aligned with the Houthi movement has revealed what he described as serious abuses within the security agencies under the group’s control in Sana’a, accusing them of turning prisons and detention centers into “private jails” used to settle personal and administrative disputes among influential figures.

In a strongly worded post on his Facebook page, the journalist — who requested anonymity — launched a scathing attack on the Ministry of Interior and intelligence services run by the Houthis, claiming they no longer operate under the law but have instead become tools in the hands of powerful individuals.

 He alleged that detainees’ fates are determined by the “level of anger” of those in authority, raising questions about whether releases now depend solely on the satisfaction of these figures.

The journalist pointed to cases where influential actors directed security agencies to arrest academics and civil servants over purely personal or administrative disagreements. He cited the detention of university professor Dr. Mahyoub Al-Hussam, reportedly jailed after a dispute over lecture scheduling, saying the anger of one official was enough to send him to prison without legal justification.

He also highlighted other arrests targeting academics and journalists, including Mohammed Al-Sheina, Abdulkarim Ali, and Ali Al-Qadhi, who were allegedly held for varying periods in police prisons due to personal disputes with powerful figures, without judicial orders or clear legal procedures.

In the same context, the journalist criticized what he called “double standards” in handling detention cases, questioning the rationale behind the arrest of journalist Rashid Al-Burawi, while, according to him, individuals implicated in serious violations continue to enjoy protection from influential actors, shielded by political motives that allow them to escape accountability.

The revelations have sparked concern among rights advocates, who warn that such practices deepen the climate of fear and erode trust in legal institutions, further complicating Yemen’s already fragile human rights landscape.