Yemeni Model Entisar al-Hammadi Released After Five Years in Prison

Entisar al-Hammadi, a Yemeni model, has been released from prison after serving five years under the control of the Houthi rebels. Her lawyer, Khaled al-Kamal, confirmed her release to the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency. Al-Hammadi was arrested in February 2021 while attending a photo shoot in Sanaa, facing serious charges that included prostitution, drug abuse, and fornication.

Her lawyer has described these accusations as unfounded and indicative of broader issues regarding women’s rights and liberties in Yemen. Al-Hammadi, who is of Yemeni and Ethiopian descent, had a career as a model and appeared in two Yemeni television series. She often challenged conservative Muslim norms by posting photographs where she sometimes did not wear a headscarf, which incited public backlash.

Al-Kamal stated, “Entisar al-Hammadi was released yesterday evening and is now in her home.” He further highlighted the injustices she encountered during her imprisonment, including severe health deterioration.

Imprisonment and Allegations of Abuse

In March 2021, al-Hammadi was transferred to the Central Prison in Sanaa, where she reportedly faced discrimination and degrading treatment. According to her lawyer, she was subjected to derogatory slurs such as “whore” and “slave” due to her darker skin tone.

Human rights organization Amnesty International has criticized the treatment al-Hammadi received while in custody. The organization reported that upon her arrest, she was “interrogated while blindfolded, physically and verbally abused, subjected to racist insults and forced to ‘confess’ to several offences – including drug possession and prostitution.”

Al-Hammadi’s case is emblematic of the challenges faced by women in Yemen, particularly those who defy societal expectations. Her release has raised questions regarding the treatment of women in the country and the ongoing human rights situation under Houthi control.

As she returns to her family, the implications of her imprisonment continue to resonate, highlighting the need for broader reforms to protect individual rights and freedoms in Yemen.