Yemen issues decree removing Al-Zubaidi from leadership council, charging treason

ADEN, Jan 7 (KUNA) -- Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council issued on Wednesday a republican decree stripping Aidarous Al-Zubaidi of his council membership and referring him to the public prosecution on charges of high national treason.
The decree, published by the official Yemeni News Agency (SABA), accused Al-Zubaidi of "high treason aimed at undermining the Republic's independence and harming its military, political and economic standing." It charged Al-Zubaidi with forming an armed gang, committing killings of armed forces officers and soldiers, exploiting and damaging the just southern cause, and carrying out grave violations against civilians and infrastructure.
The decision said the armed group affiliated with Al-Zubaidi engaged in continuous confrontations with the armed forces, showed disregard for lives, assaulted constitutional authorities, violated the constitution and laws, and undermined national sovereignty.
The decree was based on provisions of the penal code and the law on the trial of holders of senior state positions.
It instructed the Public Prosecutor to investigate the cited incidents and take legal action in accordance with applicable laws.
The decision followed an announcement by the coalition supporting Yemeni legitimacy that Al-Zubaidi fled Aden late last night toward Al-Dhalea with large military forces, after distributing weapons and ammunition to his elements to incite unrest in Aden.
The coalition said it carried out a limited preemptive strike on Al-Zand camp in Al-Dhalea after Al-Zubaidi's forces positioned nearby, aiming to thwart his plans to escalate and expand the conflict. (end) sns.aai