Head of “Southern Revolutionary Movement Council” kidnapped before leaving Sayoun Airport

HADRAMOUT, Sept. 19 (YPA) – The “Supreme Council of the Southern Revolutionary Movement” on Sunday condemned the kidnapping of its president, Fouad Rashid, before leaving Sayoun Airport Saturday on his way to the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

In two separate statements, the council said that the council’s president was kidnapped from the departure hall at Sayoun Airport, and his passport was withdrawn, while he was on his way to Riyadh to hold political meetings on the southern issue with a number of ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

The airport authorities took Rashid to the Political Security prison in Mukalla city under the directives of the governor and the commander of the so-called “Second Military Region” in Hadramout, Faraj al-Bahsani, according to the statements.

The council held the security and military authorities loyal to the Saudi-led coalition in Hadramout responsible for Rashid’s safety, considering his kidnapping without any legal justification a flagrant and clear violation of international covenants.

Rashid’s kidnapping came after the killing of his nephew two days ago by soldiers of the “Second Military Region” during a peaceful march in Sayoun.

The council demanded the immediate release of its leader Rashid before matters escalate popularly to unimaginable consequences.

YPA