Watan-An international human rights center has revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sentenced a Yemeni businessman to 15 years in prison for publicly expressing his opinions on Facebook three years ago.
The American Center for Justice (ACJ), a human rights organization, reported that UAE authorities sentenced Yemeni businessman Abdullah Ali Abdulwahab to 15 years in prison over a Facebook post from 2022.
The center noted that Abdulwahab lost contact during a visit to Dubai in October 2022. It later became clear that he was detained in the UAE under mysterious circumstances without clear legal procedures.
The Yemeni citizen was allowed to make a brief one-minute call to his brother, confirming his detention but unable to provide additional details due to strict restrictions imposed by Abu Dhabi authorities.
The rights center explained that Abdullah, a computer and accessories trader owning a shop on Sakhr Street in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, traveled to Dubai to import computers and accessories.
Information obtained by the center confirmed that Abdullah is currently held in Al-Sadr Prison in Abu Dhabi. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison over a Facebook post made while in Yemen, criticizing Abu Dhabi’s bombing of the Yemeni army at the entrance of Aden city in 2019.
The ACJ emphasized that such a charge should not be grounds for detaining or prosecuting anyone. Additionally, he was denied the right to appoint a lawyer, a blatant violation of fair trial guarantees.
The continued detention of Abdullah under these circumstances violates international human rights standards and sends a concerning message about the UAE authorities’ approach to freedom of opinion and expression.
The center called on UAE authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the Yemeni citizen and cease all forms of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance.
It also demanded disclosure of case details and provision of a fair trial if he is accused of a legally punishable act under international standards, including his right to legal defense and free communication with his family.
The center reiterated its call to end repressive practices against activists, opponents, journalists, and opinion holders, adhere to international covenants signed by the UAE, and conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of Abdullah Abdulwahab’s detention, holding accountable those responsible for violating his fundamental rights.
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