| A Yemeni court specialized in terror cases Monday started the prosecution of 34 people on charges of supporting slain rebel leader Hussein al-Houthy. The indictment included charges of forming armed gangs and planning terrorist attacks against military officials, security departments and the defense ministry. The defendants refused to appear in court to protest what they called "politically manipulated and exaggerated charges filed by the government which is the judge and the enemy at the same time." The defendants also accused the government of seeking to please the United States by showing that it is combating terrorism. The defendants are accused of possessing arms, explosives and rockets for intended use in illegitimate activities. Al-Houthy was killed last September during a 3-month-long rebellion he led in a northern Yemeni province. |