Yemeni's death sentence upheld

Sana'a: A special Yemeni appeal court upheld a death sentence for one and jail terms to 12 others for their armed support of the Al Houthi rebellion.

"Allah is greater, death to America, death to Israel, curse to Jews and victory to Islam," shouted the defendants from behind the bars as the Judge Mohammed Al Hakimi recited the verdict in the room of the State Security Court on Monday.

"This verdict is null and void and this court is American and the judges are controlled by the regime and we do not recognise this unconstitutional court," said one of the defendants.

On June 9, 2008, the primary court convicted the 13-member group of killing two police officers and attempting to attack military and security facilities in Sana'a. Jafar Al Murhebi was sentenced to death and the other 12 including a woman were given jail terms ranging between 1-10 years.