Tribal gunmen abduct businessman in Yemen’s Shabwa province

SHABWA, Sep. 01 (YPA) – Tribal gunmen abducted a prominent businessman in the city of Ataq, the capital of Shabwa province, on Monday, taking him to an unknown location.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the gunmen kidnapped the 65-year-old businessman, Yasslam Baali, from outside his home. They forced him into a private car before fleeing the scene.

The source stated that the abduction is linked to a financial dispute with other parties and comes amid accusations that an individual named Nasser Ahmed Saleh Omeir issued an unjust ruling against Baali, which allegedly led to his kidnapping.

Omeir had reportedly issued a ruling in a partnership case involving Baali and others, but he allegedly failed to adhere to the rules of customary law. He is also accused of rejecting witnesses presented by Baali’s side and refusing to use a legal accountant, instead relying on an accountant who had previously worked for the opposing parties. The ruling reportedly obligated Baali to pay over two million Saudi riyals to the other side.

The incident takes place amid ongoing security chaos in districts of Shabwa province under the control of UAE-backed factions, due to the absence of state authorities since early 2016.

YPA