Yemen : STC  in Hadramout Condemns Prisoner Exchange Including Convicted Terrorists

Mukalla – The Executive Authority of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Hadramout expressed deep anger and concern Friday over reports that convicted terrorists are being included in upcoming prisoner exchange deals between Saudi-led authorities and the Iran-aligned Houthi group.

In a strongly worded statement, the STC denounced the arrangements as a “blatant betrayal of justice and a violation of the rule of law,” warning that such deals amount to granting political amnesty to individuals convicted of grave terrorist crimes.

The council said the move represents a “Saudi and Houthi endorsement of terrorism’s return to the southern arena,” accusing both sides of attempting to reintroduce extremist elements under the guise of reconciliation.

The statement outlined three key positions:

Condemnation of what it described as “shameful collusion” that disregards the blood of southern martyrs and violates victims’ rights.

Affirmation that judicial rulings against terrorists are binding and cannot be undermined by political bargaining.

Strong criticism of official silence and delays in providing clarifications, which the council said amount to covering up an attempt to circumvent justice.

The STC called on the people of Hadramout and the wider south, along with rights organizations and national figures, to launch a broad popular and legal mobilization in solidarity with victims’ families and to resist what it described as “dangerous schemes to rehabilitate terrorism.”