Houthis accuse of torturing a child to death and attempting to falsify his military identity to cover up the crime.

A Yemeni human rights official has accused Houthi militias of attempting to obscure the torture and murder of a child named Raddad Saleh Ghaleb. The accusation emerged from statements made by the Human Rights Office in the capital, Sana’a.

Allegations of Coercion and Deception

Fahmi Al-Zubairi, the director of the Human Rights Office, reported that the militia exerted pressure on the victim’s family through tribal and social figures to accept a coerced settlement. He revealed that the child was killed after refusing to join a sectarian training course for the militias in the Naham area, east of Sana’a. Following his death, the militia concealed his body for a week.

Systematic Denial of Truth

Al-Zubairi disclosed that the Houthis attempted to disguise the crime by posthumously granting the victim a military rank of “Captain” and falsely claiming he was a fighter within their ranks. He described this action as a “systematic distortion of the facts surrounding the torture and murder of children.” Furthermore, he stated, “These practices are part of a strategy to mislead public opinion and allow perpetrators to evade accountability.”

Escalating Violations and Calls for Action

The director emphasized that the Houthis are committing “war crimes and crimes against humanity in an organized manner” by recruiting, torturing, and killing children. He warned of an increase in violations in areas under their control. Al-Zubairi urged the international community and human rights organizations to “intervene urgently” to protect civilians, especially children, and to pursue those involved in these crimes.

Family’s Rejection of Coercive Settlements

According to the statement, the victim’s family has rejected all attempts by the militia to force them into accepting a “fraudulent arbitration.” They remain steadfast in their demand for justice and the clarification of the circumstances surrounding the crime. Al-Zubairi confirmed that documentation of the case will be submitted to relevant international bodies.

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