Prominent Yemeni journalist who criticised coalition released
Prominent Yemeni journalist who criticised coalition released
Fathy bin Lazrq, the editor of a Yemeni newspaper, was released just hours of being arrested by government forces in Aden on Monday
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Fathy bin Lazrq is an editor-in-chief of a Yemeni newspaper [Twitter]
A Yemeni journalist critical of the Saudi-led coalition waging war on the country's rebels was released Monday, just hours after being detained in the port city of Aden, officials said.
The officials say Fathy bin Lazrq, the editor-in-chief of Aden Al Ghad newspaper, was arrested in the southern city of Aden on Monday, and that his whereabouts are unknown. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.
The newspaper, citing a witness, reported that bin Lazrq was driving a car when the authorities arrested him.
The coalition has been at war with Yemen's Houthi rebels since March 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government. Coalition forces are based in Aden, while the rebels control the capital, Sanaa.
On Facebook, bin Lazrq had accused the coalition of failing to provide basic services and dismissed as untrue reports that the coalition provides millions of dollars in aid.
One of bin Larq's last posts reads: "The government must do its duty for the people of Aden, and those of other provinces, to not accept excuses or forgive shortcomings. Today, electricity and water cut off from many neighbourhoods of Aden. Action must be taken immediately to address people's problems."
The coalition has faced criticism for its campaign of airstrikes that has killed civilians, including children, and destroyed hospitals and markets while the Houthis have been accused of using land mines, killing and wounding civilians. They have also targeted religious minorities and imprisoned opponents.
The UN considers war-torn Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Of its population of 27.5 million, 22.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including an estimated 16 million needing humanitarian assistance to maintain access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene facilities.
Both sides of the conflict in Yemen are known for severe repression and persecution of journalists and critics. In June, Yemeni reporter Anwar al-Rakan died days after being released from detention by the Houthi rebels. His health had dramatically declined due to torture and malnourishment experienced during his year spent behind bars, for unknown charges.
Agencies contributed to this report.
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