Saudi authorities execute Yemeni national transferred from Hadramout over “terrorism” charges

RIYADH, Dec. 18 (YPA) – The Saudi Ministry of Interior executed Yemeni national Qaboos Saeed Taleb Al-Kathiri in the Asir region on Thursday, following his conviction for terrorism-related offenses.

The ministry statement indicated that Al-Kathiri was arrested, investigated, and convicted, without specifying the location of the alleged crimes.

While the official statement did not specify the location of the crimes, local media outlets indicated that al-Kathiri was accused of assassinating a Saudi officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bandar bin Mazid al-Otaibi, along with two Saudi soldiers and several Yemenis. The incident allegedly involved a remote-controlled IED attack on a public road in the Shibam district of Hadramout on September 19, 2019.

In March 2021, a Saudi social media account close to decision-making circles (“Columbus”) revealed a “special operation” conducted by Saudi special forces in Hadramout. The operation led to the capture of al-Kathiri—described then as the “leader of Al-Qaeda in Yemen”—who was subsequently transported to Saudi territory via a private jet.

The case has sparked criticism among activists who view al-Kathiri’s transfer from Yemeni soil to be tried in Saudi Arabia as a violation of Yemeni law and the constitution. They argue that, under legal jurisdiction, he should have been interrogated by Yemeni authorities and faced trial in Hadramout, the location of the incident, rather than in another country.

YPA