Sana’a — The Specialized Criminal Court in Sana’a, operating under the control of the Houthi group, has reserved judgment in the case of 21 Yemeni citizens accused of espionage for the United States and Saudi Arabia, according to legal sources and local media reports.

The court concluded its hearings this week and announced that a verdict will be issued at a later date. The prosecution has demanded the death penalty for all defendants, alleging that they provided intelligence and logistical support to foreign governments hostile to the Houthi movement.

The trial has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which have raised concerns about due process, coerced confessions, and the politicization of the judiciary in Houthi-held areas. Families of the accused have denied the charges, describing the proceedings as retaliatory and lacking transparency.

This case is part of a broader pattern of politically motivated trials in territories controlled by the Houthis, where dozens of Yemenis — including journalists, activists, and aid workers — have faced similar accusations of espionage or collaboration with foreign entities.

International observers have called on all parties to uphold fair trial standards and ensure that judicial processes are not used as tools of repression amid Yemen’s ongoing conflict.