During a recent Eid visit to Ibb Central Prison, families of detainees witnessed firsthand the harsh conditions and mistreatment endured by those incarcerated under Houthi control. The Houthi militia permitted limited visits during the last ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and the Eid days, framing it as a concession after a year of detention, enforced disappearance, and deprivation of basic rights.
The militia imposed stringent security measures, deploying female guards and loyalist security personnel. Visitors, including men, women, and children, underwent thorough searches and were prohibited from bringing any food, medicine, or Eid gifts, with only clothing and shoes permitted.
According to sources, visits were restricted to two hours daily, from 1 PM to 3 PM, under close supervision by Houthi officials. This environment fostered distress and tears among visitors, who accused prison administration of injustice and denying detainees fundamental rights, including access to medication, clean water, and healthy food, as well as preventing them from sun exposure and regular visits.
Prison officials reportedly attempted to portray the detainees as being in good condition, repeatedly claiming they were living in safety and receiving adequate care. However, this narrative overlooked the severe isolation from families, especially for individuals who are the sole breadwinners, and the fact that many are detained without specific charges.
The sight of detained families was particularly harrowing, with elderly parents struggling to attend visits and some detainees appearing visibly frail or suffering from vision impairment. Families criticized the prison administration for continuing detentions without regard for the detainees' health, financial status, or family circumstances.
This official visit was the only one for many detainees since their arrest in May, June, and July of last year. Many of those arrested are educators accused of various offenses, including affiliation with ISIS, collaborating with the enemy, and receiving illicit funds – accusations that sources have vehemently denied.
Sources, relaying the detainees' accounts, pointed to a group of Houthi loyalist supervisors in rural and urban areas as being behind these arrests. These supervisors allegedly fabricated reports and false charges for political and financial extortion, aiming to cripple families financially, instill fear in the community, and propagate narratives of conspiracy against the ruling authority. Furthermore, the militia intentionally turned the governorate into a large prison for anyone expressing dissent or having past political affiliations or relatives in liberated areas.
The governorate of Ibb is reportedly one of the worst affected by increased arrests, crime rates, suicides, security breakdowns, the proliferation of armed elements, land confiscation, illegal taxation, thuggery, and daily violations. It is also noted for having an unusually large number of deputy governors and advisors.
