Houthi-affiliated media reported that the “Special Criminal Court” in Yemen’s capital Sana’a has held the first session in the so-called “Dhamar Cell” case, involving 48 defendants.

Presided over by Judge Abdullah al-Najjar, the court handed down 44 death sentences, while the remaining 4 were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 15 years. The court also ordered the confiscation of all seized weapons, explosives, vehicles, and electronic equipment linked to the case.

The defendants are accused of espionage, aiding the enemy, planning assassinations, and carrying out bombings at Houthi security points and military sites. According to the indictment, they were allegedly involved in plots to kill top Houthi leaders — including the assassination of Dr. Raji Ahmad Hamid al-Din, and an attempted missile attack on Taha al-Mutawakkil.

The Houthis also accused the group of being behind the killing of Ali Ali al-Warith, and of bombing security checkpoints in Dhamar, causing injuries to civilians and security personnel.

Human rights observers, however, say the trial was politically motivated and lacked transparency, raising concerns about due process and fair legal representation.