For over four years, the Yemeni Jew, Libby Salem Marhaby, has been unjustly imprisoned in the national security prison in Sana’a. He was arrested by the Houthi-controlled security forces in the capital, Sana’a, during March of 2016, along with a group of workers and employees of Sana’a airport, on charges of smuggling an antique manuscript.
After two years of imprisonment and trials, the Public Funds Appeals Division in the Capital Secretariat decided to speedily release Libby and make do with the period of imprisonment he had already spent. However, this ruling was not implemented, while all other detainees were released. Despite orders and directives issued by the Public Prosecution, and by other officials in the authorities under the control of the Houthis, he still remains imprisoned.
However, despite our diligent follow-up with several local and international parties, and our efforts to deliver Libby’s case, which some countries recently began to interact with, as well as the Security Council, Libby remains detained until this moment, with no rational reason to us or his family’s knowledge for the continuation of his detention, except for him having a religion and belief different from the belief of those detaining him, in a clear violation of freedom of religion, opinion and belief, and the principle of citizenship equality.
We affirm, once again, that the case of Libby is a case of a person who is being wrongfully detained, and we are working to expose to public opinion, locally and abroad, the seriousness of his health condition. Libby suffers from kidney and lungs problems, in addition to the loss of all his teeth. He also suffers from other health problems that threaten his life, especially now with the onset of winter and the cold that could have a devastating effect on his health under the poor conditions of prison and the lack of heating.
We again call for consideration for the life of a Yemeni citizen who is imprisoned without any justification, and who did not participate in any conflict or confrontation, which might be the reason that he was never considered during any exchange of prisoners. His only charge is that he is a Yemeni who belongs to this land, of which his humanity and freedom of religion or belief is of little regard.
We also call upon all parties in and outside Yemen to interact and emphasize that what Libby is facing is a clear example of what the rest of the Yemeni Jews face, who are surrounded by fear and terror from these repressive practices that do not respect freedom, belief, or citizenship, and carries out this all under the culture and guidance of a thought out political orientation, protected by a motto which places the cursing and expulsion of Jews as a priority.
