Yemeni Bar Association Condemns Investigation of Lawyer Following Alleged Assault

The Yemeni Bar Association has expressed profound concern regarding the summoning of lawyer Mustafa Mujahid Qasim Al-Othmani for questioning over allegations of assaulting a public official, noting that the move follows the lawyer's own report of being physically assaulted and humiliated at the office of the Prosecutor General in Sanaa.

In an official statement released on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the Bar Association reported that the Public Funds Prosecution in the capital had requested Al-Othmani’s attendance for an investigation, alongside a request for a union representative to be present. This summons stands in stark contrast to the complaint previously filed by Al-Othmani, in which he alleged that he was subjected to mistreatment while attempting to represent a client on August 29, 2026.

According to the lawyer’s initial report, he was prevented from entering the Prosecutor General's office to submit a formal complaint on behalf of his imprisoned client, despite presenting his professional credentials. Al-Othmani stated that he was forcibly removed by security personnel wearing judicial police uniforms, an incident he claims occurred in the presence of numerous witnesses and within view of the Prosecutor General.

The Bar Association had previously condemned the incident on August 30, 2026, asserting that the dignity and immunity of legal practitioners are fundamental pillars of the rule of law and an independent judiciary. The organization maintains that the physical intimidation of attorneys performing their professional duties undermines the integrity of the judicial process.

The union has called upon the Supreme Judicial Council and relevant judicial authorities to hold those responsible for the assault accountable. Emphasizing that the protection of lawyers is a safeguard for the rights of all litigants, the Bar Association reiterated its commitment to ensuring that legal professionals can carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or systematic obstruction.