After 5 years behind bars.. The Houthis release Yemeni model Intisar Al-Hamadi

The Houthi group in Yemen has released model Intisar Al-Hamadi after she spent nearly five years in prison, according to her lawyer and a security source who confirmed this to AFP on Saturday evening.

Al-Hamadi, who is 23 years old, was arrested on February 20, 2021, in the capital Sana'a while heading to a photo shoot with one of her friends, before being convicted on charges related to "prostitution" and "drug use" — accusations that human rights organizations described as fabricated and a violation of women's freedom in areas controlled by the Houthis.

Her lawyer Khaled Al-Kamal stated to AFP: "Intisar Al-Hamadi was released last night, and she is now at home after a long suffering inside prison."

Health suffering and suicide attempts

Al-Kamal pointed out that his client suffered from serious health deterioration during her detention due to what he described as "injustice and harsh treatment," noting that Al-Hamadi attempted suicide in 2021 due to the harsh conditions she faced in prison, as confirmed by international human rights reports.

From an ambitious model to a public opinion case

Intisar Al-Hamadi was born to a Yemeni father and an Ethiopian mother, and she became famous before her arrest through photo shoots for local fashion designers, sharing her pictures on her "Instagram" and "Facebook" accounts, where she has thousands of followers.
She appeared in her photos wearing traditional Yemeni clothing or modern fashion, sometimes wearing a hijab and sometimes without it — which made her a symbol of women's boldness in a conservative society where the Houthis impose strict restrictions on women's freedom.

Increasing restrictions on women

The case of Al-Hamadi comes amid growing restrictions imposed on women in areas under Houthi control, where the group prohibits women from moving or working without the permission of a guardian, and imposes strict restrictions on appearance and public activities.

Activists consider the release of Al-Hamadi a positive step, but it does not compensate for the years of injustice and suffering she endured inside prison, calling for the release of all women detained on similar grounds.