Suspended Prison Sentence Against Journalist Aziz Al-Ahmadi

The Media Freedoms Observatory in Yemen expresses its full solidarity with fellow journalist Aziz Mohammed Al-Ahmadi and strongly condemns the verdict issued by the Ataq Primary Court in Shabwah Governorate, sentencing him to four months in prison with a suspended sentence. We consider this ruling a clear attack on press freedom and an explicit attempt to tighten the noose on journalists and silence their voices.

We affirm that journalist Aziz Al-Ahmadi committed no act that violates Yemeni law or the Press and Publications Law. His questions and journalistic investigations should not be deemed crimes warranting punishment.

After reviewing the case file, which the Observatory undertook to defend, it was found that the case concerns a Facebook post he published on August 15, 2024. In it, he raised a legitimate question about the validity of reports claiming that the local authorities in Shabwah had leased land for the construction of a 53-megawatt solar power project funded by the United Arab Emirates.

Questioning the transparency of public project management is a legitimate right of every citizen and lies at the heart of journalism’s role in holding public sector  accountable and serving the public interest.

We call on the local authorities in Shabwah Governorate and all relevant parties to respect press freedom and the right to free expression, both of which are guaranteed by the constitution and applicable laws. We also urge the Court of Appeals to overturn this unjust ruling and halt all arbitrary actions targeting journalists.

At the Media Freedoms Observatory, we reaffirm our commitment to defending journalists and female journalists and their right to carry out their noble mission without fear or intimidation.