UN employee Sami al-Kalabi detained by Houthi forces in Sanaa

Sami al-Kalabi, an employee of the United Nations envoy's office in Yemen, remains detained in Houthi-controlled prisons in Sanaa despite suffering from cancer. Reports indicate that al-Kalabi has been held for over two years, with his health deteriorating significantly during his detention.

Journalist Fares al-Himyari reported that while the Houthi militia allows al-Kalabi to visit an oncology center for treatment doses, he is immediately returned to prison, preventing the stable medical care required for his condition. Al-Kalabi, who was arrested in June 2024, has recently been referred to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in Sanaa on charges described as baseless.

In a related development, four other detainees—Asim al-Ashari, Dr. Ali al-Midwahi, Labib Shaif, and Murad Zafir—were also referred to the Specialized Criminal Court. Sources noted that the court held its first session without the presence of defense lawyers, raising concerns regarding the violation of fair trial guarantees and legal rights for those held by the Houthi authorities.