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Sana’a Yemen’s rebels said on Saturday they have freed 1,600 prisoners to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the impoverished country.
Yemen has not officially recorded any cases of the virus that causes the potentially fatal Covid-19 respiratory disease.
Rebel-linked chief prosecutor Nabil al-Azani, said the 1,600 prisoners have been set free over the past two days as part of precautions against Covid-19 in areas under the control of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which include the capital Sana’a.
The reported move comes days after the rival Yemeni government announced its release of hundreds of inmates for the same reason. It is feared that the virus can spread easily in prisons due to cramped conditions.
Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, has been gripped by a devastating conflict since late 2014, setting the Houthis against the government supported by Saudi Arabia. (DPA)
Yemen has not officially recorded any cases of the virus that causes the potentially fatal Covid-19 respiratory disease.
Rebel-linked chief prosecutor Nabil al-Azani, said the 1,600 prisoners have been set free over the past two days as part of precautions against Covid-19 in areas under the control of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which include the capital Sana’a.
The reported move comes days after the rival Yemeni government announced its release of hundreds of inmates for the same reason. It is feared that the virus can spread easily in prisons due to cramped conditions.
Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, has been gripped by a devastating conflict since late 2014, setting the Houthis against the government supported by Saudi Arabia. (DPA)
