Sana'a -- Yemeni model and actress Intisar al-Hammadi has been released by Houthi authorities after spending nearly five years in detention, her lawyer confirmed on Saturday.

Al-Hammadi, who was arrested in February 2021 while heading to a photoshoot in the capital Sanaa, was sentenced to five years in prison by a Houthi-run court on charges of indecent conduct and drug possession. Human rights organizations and her legal team have consistently denounced the charges as fabricated and politically motivated, citing procedural irregularities and abuse throughout her detention.

Her lawyer, Khaled al-Kamal, announced that she was released from Central Prison in Sanaa and has returned home. The release comes amid growing pressure from activists, journalists, and civil society groups who had long called for her freedom and highlighted her case as emblematic of the broader repression of women and dissent under Houthi control.

Al-Hammadi, of Ethiopian-Yemeni descent, rose to prominence as a model and actress defying conservative norms in Yemen. Her arrest sparked international concern, with rights groups accusing the Houthis of targeting women who challenge traditional roles.

A joint statement signed by dozens of Yemeni public figures welcomed her release and urged authorities to provide her with medical care and psychological support following years of incarceration.

Her case remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in conflict zones, particularly under regimes that restrict personal freedoms and expression.