Al-Murtadha: The other party is responsible for delaying the prisoner exchange

SANAA, July 11 (YPA) – The Head of the National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, Abdulqader Al-Murtadha, said the delay in implementing the prisoner exchange deal was due to what he described as the other side’s failure to honor its agreed commitments, affirming that the committee had completed its preparations and was ready to implement the deal as scheduled.

In a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), Al-Murtadha said the committee had fulfilled all of its obligations and was prepared to carry out the exchange according to the agreed timetable. However, the other side delayed implementing its commitments, resulting in the postponement of the exchange process.

He added that the other side refused to include the remaining prisoners it holds, which hindered the implementation of the agreement on the scheduled date, despite the committee having completed all required procedures.

Al-Murtadha said the committee had notified the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of its readiness to implement the deal on the set date once the other side complies.

He also accused the other side of attempting to mislead public opinion by overlooking several key points agreed upon before the exchange, stressing that compliance with those terms was an integral part of the agreement.

Al-Murtadha reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to carrying out the exchange once the other side fulfills all its obligations, holding it fully responsible for any delay or failure in carrying out the deal.

@E.Y.M