Houthi Militia Refers UN Health Official to Specialized Criminal Prosecution

The Houthi militia has transferred Dr. Abdul Nasser Al-Rabai, a senior immunization official for the World Health Organization, to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in Sanaa following more than 27 months of detention.

Human rights sources confirmed that Al-Rabai, who was abducted on June 8, 2022, is facing legal proceedings before the judicial body responsible for counter-terrorism and state security cases. His referral is linked to ongoing investigations regarding vaccination programs, a sector that has been heavily targeted by the militia’s restrictive policies.

The arrest of Dr. Al-Rabai occurred during a broader campaign launched by the Houthi authorities against healthcare professionals and staff affiliated with international humanitarian organizations. These actions coincided with the imposition of severe limitations on medical activities and immunization campaigns across territories under their control.

Although the Houthi leadership has since rescinded some of the formal bans placed on vaccination efforts, they have maintained the detention of Al-Rabai and several of his colleagues. The continuation of these legal proceedings suggests a persistent effort to penalize those associated with the administration of health initiatives that the group previously sought to obstruct.

Multiple individuals associated with the vaccination file remain in custody despite the militia's public shift in its stance on immunization programs. The legal move to the Specialized Criminal Prosecution marks a significant escalation in the treatment of international aid workers operating within the conflict-affected region.