Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/AL-MUKALLA: Houthis have kidnaped three famous Yemeni YouTubers in Sanaa as the militia steps up its crackdown on social media influencers who expose its leaders’ flaws.
The YouTubers
Activists reported that the Houthis had abducted Hamoud Al-Mesbahi, Mustafa Al-Mumari, and Ahmed Elaw for posting videos and images on social media which support famous YouTuber Ahmed Hajar, who was seized from a Sanaa street more than ten days ago.
According to Arab News, the social media posts criticized widespread corruption and failure to address famine. Al-Mumari has a famous social media personality in Yemen with over 2 million YouTube subscribers and tens of thousands of Facebook fans. He earlier appeared in the video in which he harshly criticized the Houthis for kidnapping his friend, Hajar.
He has urged the Houthis to combat rampant institutional corruption and the named some “corrupt” Houthi leaders. He said that If you are trustworthy and searching for the corrupt, I could provide you with evidence. If my claims have been untrue, put me to death; if they have been genuine, hold those corrupt officials responsible.
Al-Mesbahi and Al-Mumari were kidnapped from street in the Sanaa and taken to a security facility shortly after a video was posted. Elaw made the video on his channel three days ago demanding the release of his friends and warning the Houthis against ignoring corruption and popular unrest. The Houthis quickly stormed his home and kidnapped him.
