Guterres calls for probe into death of WFP staff member detained in Yemen
- 2025-02-12 12:00
New York, NY – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an investigation into the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member who was detained in Yemen.
The staff member, Akram al-Nakib, was arrested by Houthi rebels in Sana’a in February 2022. He was accused of espionage and held incommunicado for over a year.
Al-Nakib died in custody on January 25, 2025. The Houthis have claimed that he died of natural causes, but his family and colleagues have disputed this.
Guterres said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened” by al-Nakib’s death. He called for a “thorough and independent investigation” into the circumstances of his death.
“The detention and death of Mr. al-Nakib is a tragedy,” Guterres said. “I urge the Houthis to cooperate fully with any investigation into his death.”
The United States has also called for an investigation into al-Nakib’s death. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement that the United States was “deeply concerned” by the reports of al-Nakib’s death.
“We call on the Houthis to provide a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding his death,” Price said. “We also call for the immediate release of all other WFP staff members who are being held by the Houthis.”
The Houthis have not yet commented on Guterres’ or Price’s statements.
Al-Nakib’s death is the latest in a series of incidents involving the detention of humanitarian workers in Yemen. In October 2022, the Houthis detained four WFP staff members in Hodeidah. The staff members were released two weeks later after international pressure.
The detention of humanitarian workers is a serious violation of international law. The United Nations has repeatedly called on the Houthis to release all humanitarian workers who are being held in Yemen.
Guterres calls for probe into death of WFP staff member detained in Yemen
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