The legitimate Yemeni government called on the United Nations and its envoy Martin Griffiths to intervene and halt the execution of a female detainee held by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

The Yemeni Human Rights Ministry condemned the sentence against Asmaa al-Amaisy, who is being held in a Houthi jail.

It deemed as a “farce” the sentence against her, explaining that it was issued by a judiciary that had lost its legitimacy and that has been transformed into a tool to be abused by the militia to violate the rights of the people.

It said that the execution violates all red lines and local and international laws, treaties and agreements.

It added that Amaisy was kidnapped by the Houthis and held in complete isolation from the world. Along with other prisoners, she was held in appalling conditions for several months before being put on trial.

The prisoners, revealed the ministry, were subject to extortion and repeated degradation by the militias. They were deprived of their basic rights, including contacting an attorney and enjoying family visits.

It stressed that Amaisy’s execution would be considered a war crime according to international laws and it will deal a blow to an anticipated prisoner exchange between the government and Houthis.

It therefore, called on the international community to exert pressure on the Houthis to make them commit to the swap deal that was reached during consultations in Sweden in December.

For four years, the Houthis have issued death sentences against dozens of their opponents, including activists. Many have been falsely accused of treason, backing the legitimate government or belonging to terrorist organizations.

The death sentence against Amaisy is the first against a woman.

She is being held on fabricated charges of belonging to terrorist groups in Sanaa.

AFP.