Outrage at Houthi execution of nine Yemenis and 'death sentence' for Donald Trump

The UN and others have condemned the execution by Houthi rebels of nine men in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday.

The nine men were reportedly executed by firing squad after being convicted in an "unfair" Houthi trial of spying.

They were accused of being behind the death of the head of the Houthi's Supreme Political Council, Saleh Al-Sammad, who was killed in a Saudi coalition airstrike three years ago.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and former US President Donald Trump were also sentenced to death "in absentia" in the case, the BBC reported.

The killings led to a wave of international outrage, including from the UN.

"[The UN] strongly condemns these actions which are a result of judicial proceedings that do not appear to have fulfilled the requirements of fair trial and due process under international law," the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesman said in a statement released on Sunday.

Guterres called for a moratorium on the death penalty in Yemen.

UK condemns the brutal Houthi execution of 9 individuals, 1 reported to be a juvenile. It demonstrates indifference to human dignity & blatant disregard for fair trial & due process. Sadly it’s not the first time. Those responsible must change & comply with international law

— BritishEmbassySanaa (@UKinYemen) September 19, 2021

The UK also condemned the killings saying it demonstrated "indifference to human dignity and blatant disregard for fair trial & due process".

Message from CDA Cathy Westley on the executions carried out by the Houthis. pic.twitter.com/FY5fZ9Jk8l

— US Embassy to Yemen السفارة الأمريكية في اليمن (@USEmbassyYemen) September 19, 2021

The US Embassy to Yemen's Chargé d'Affaires, Cathy Westley, slammed the "sham trial" which led to the deaths of the men.

"This outrageous action is another example of the Houthi indifference to basic human rights ... this barbarism must end."

The EU also condemned the executions.

Yemen: 🇪🇺 condemns the execution of 9 persons by Ansar Allah in Sana’a. We strongly oppose death penalty & urge all parties to the conflict to cooperate with the UN Group of Eminent Experts & ensure due process, accountability and justice for all in 🇾🇪 https://t.co/3nzmjD0oIV

— Peter Stano (@ExtSpoxEU) September 20, 2021

Yemen has been devastated by a conflict that began in 2014 and, until now, has left 80 percent of its population, 24.1 million people, in need of humanitarian aid and protection, according to the UN.

Fighting in the country has killed tens of thousands as the country experiences "the world's worst food security crisis", says Human Rights Watch.