Yemen: IFJ calls on Houthis to release detained journalist

Yemeni journalist and writer Salah al-Din Ali al-Ruhani has been detained by the Houthis in Sana'a for almost three months. His health and whereabouts remain unknown. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate (YJS), in condemning his ongoing detention and demanding his immediate release.

A man looks on as smoke billows on the horizon following an Israeli air strike on Yemen's Huthi-held capital Sanaa on May 6, 2025. Credit: MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP

The colleagues and family of Salah al-Din Ali al-Ruhani reported to the YJS that the journalist had been abducted by the Houthis after his home was raided over two months ago. The Houthis had blocked access to his neighbourhood, which is located in the capital city of Sana'a. They searched his house and interrogated him for four hours before taking him to a detention facility.

Since then, the journalist has been detained illegally, without formal charges being brought against him, and in violation of his right to communicate with his family and lawyer. His health and whereabouts are unknown.

In their statement, the YJS called "[...] for the immediate disclosure of the location of colleague Salah al-Din al-Ruhani's detention, his health and legal status, and to allow him to communicate with his family and lawyer without delay" and demanded "[...] his immediate release, the implementation of the law, the adoption of proper legal procedures regarding freedom of opinion and expression, and ensuring respect for the rights of journalists and opinion-makers so that they are not targeted for their views or writings".

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "The abduction and illegal detention of al-Ruhani, as well as the inhumane conditions of his detention, constitute a flagrant violation of his rights, press freedom and international norms. Following his forced disappearance, we are deeply concerned for his safety, particularly given the case of our colleague Wahid Al-Sufi, who has been missing since he was kidnapped in 2015. We urge the Houthis to release al-Ruhani safely and immediately.