Sana’a — A Houthi-run military court in Yemen has issued a death sentence against Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in a ruling that has sparked widespread political and legal controversy.

The verdict, handed down by the Central Military Court in Sana’a, found Ahmed Saleh guilty of charges including treason, espionage, and large-scale corruption. The court also ordered the confiscation of his assets and the recovery of funds allegedly embezzled during his tenure as a senior government official and ambassador.

Ahmed Saleh, who currently resides outside Yemen, did not attend the trial and was sentenced in absentia. Houthi media outlets described the ruling as part of broader efforts to “combat betrayal and restore looted public wealth,” while critics argue the move is politically motivated and lacks due process.

The ruling comes amid heightened tensions between the Houthis and factions aligned with the internationally recognized government, as well as lingering divisions within Yemen’s fractured political landscape. 

Ahmed Saleh has long been viewed as a prominent figure within Yemen’s former ruling elite and was once considered a potential successor to his father. His sentencing marks a dramatic escalation in the Houthis’ campaign against former regime figures.