Yemeni Detainee Recounts Torture in UAE-Run Prison Without Clothing

Yemeni Man Seeks Justice After Years in Secret Prison

Ali Hassan Ali Bakhtiyan, a 30-year-old Yemeni man, has been speaking out about his experiences in secret prisons in eastern Yemen’s Hadramout Governorate. He was detained for over two years, from 2016 to 2018, and claims he was subjected to physical and psychological torture.

According to Ali, he was first detained following a bomb blast in the region and was falsely accused of being a member of the Islah Party, a main opposition party in Yemen. He denies any affiliation with the party or the Muslim Brotherhood, which is also under its umbrella.

Ali’s case has gained attention again after Hadramout Governor Salem al-Khanbashi announced the discovery of secret prisons at UAE forces’ deployment sites. The governor expressed regret over the findings, including equipment and components unrelated to regular armies, as well as the presence of secret prisons.

The UAE forces withdrew from Yemen in January following a joint defence agreement annulment by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi. However, allegations of human rights abuses continue to surface.

Deputy Governor of Hadramout al-Jilani stated that four illegal detention sites affiliated with UAE forces had been identified and vowed to carry out comprehensive investigations into the matter. Local authorities will gather evidence and testimonies from victims and witnesses to hold those responsible accountable.

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has denied the accusations, describing them as “false and misleading allegations”.

Source: Al Jazeera