Sana’a — A court affiliated with Yemen’s Houthi movement has issued rulings against 17 individuals accused of espionage and collaboration, in connection with the detention of United Nations employees in the capital, Sana’a.

According to judicial sources, the court sentenced two defendants to prison terms, while others were acquitted. The verdict comes amid ongoing controversy over the Houthis’ detention of UN staff and aid workers, which has drawn international condemnation and calls for their immediate release.

The trial, conducted under Houthi authority, has raised concerns among rights groups about due process and the politicization of judicial proceedings in areas under the group’s control. Observers note that the case reflects broader tensions between the Houthis and international organizations operating in Yemen, where humanitarian access has been increasingly restricted.

The United Nations has repeatedly demanded the release of its detained employees, stressing that their detention violates international law and undermines humanitarian principles.

The ruling underscores the Houthis’ tightening grip on judicial and security institutions in Sana’a, while highlighting the risks faced by aid workers and international staff in Yemen’s conflict zones.