Marib authorities refuse to hand over officer accused of extorting women in Hadramout despite arrest warrant

MARIB, Sept. 22 (YPA) – Authorities aligned with the Islah Party in Marib city have refused to hand over a military officer holding the rank of colonel, who is accused of managing extortion and exploitation operations targeting several women in the city of Shihr, Hadramout governorate, despite an active bench warrant for his arrest.

According to human rights sources, the officer, identified as “M. A. Tawaf”—who serves in Marib’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID)—is involved in circulating photographs of victims and directly defaming them and their families across social media platforms.

The sources stated that Marib authorities have continuously delayed procedures since early this month, ignoring directives from Hadramout security forces and the warrant issued by the Shihr Prosecution. The directive, recorded under document No. (2925) issued by Hadramout Coast Security on September 2, explicitly calls for the suspect’s arrest and extradition.

The refusal to cooperate has sparked widespread outrage among activists in Hadramout, who warned that security inaction could escalate tension among local families. Activists threatened to release video recordings documenting the extortion suffered by one of the women in Shihr.

YPA