News - Yemen: The head of the National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, Abdulqadir Al-Murtada, confirmed that the US-Saudi mercenaries in Marib rejected an offer to reveal the fate of the leader of the “Islah” party, in exchange for revealing the fate of a group of prisoners.

Al-Murtada wrote on Twitter: We were informed by the United Nations that the mercenaries of Ma'rib rejected the offer made by us to disclose the fate of Muhammad Qahtan in exchange for them disclosing a group of prisoners and detainees in their prisons.

Al-Murtada stressed that this behavior indicates that the mercenaries does not want to know the fate of Qahtan but they attempt to obstruct this humanitarian issue, and to thwart all efforts made to complete the agreed-upon exchanges.

Earlier, the head of Prisoners Affairs Committee, Abdulqadir Al-Murtada, confirmed that visits to prisons that were agreed upon with the UN have been postponed to an indefinite date.

"The committee was ready to visit prisons tomorrow, Saturday, according to the UN, stressing that the committee was surprised with US-Saudi mercenaries new conditions that led to the postponing the visits to an indefinite date," he said.

Al-Murtada pointed out that these  clear obstructions aimed at thwarting the next round of negotiations, requesting the UN must put an end to this obstruction.

On May 5, the head of the National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, Abdul Qadir Al-Murtada, announced that Sana'a is still waiting for the formation of committees to start visits to prisons by the two parties, according to what was previously agreed upon.

Al-Murtada told Al-Masirah,: "There were obstacles in the previous stages by the US-Saudi mercenaries, but we hope this time will not be repeated."

He pointed out that "the next round is agreed to include the release of 1,400 prisoners from both sides, and if the deal includes more, it will be welcomed."

The head of the Prisoners Committee also affirmed that the US obstructs the end of the US-Saudi aggression throughout the past periods, and they always impedes any progress in all rounds of negotiation regarding the prisoners’ issue.

Days earlier, the head of National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, Abdulqadir Al-Murtada announced that he discussed with the UN representative ways to advance the prisoners' issue.

"The UN representative informed us of our full readiness to participate in the next round of negotiations in mid-May, provided that it will be held after completing prison visits," he said.

"We informed the UN representative of our full readiness to carry out prison visits that were agreed upon with the Marib party," he added.

He pointed out that the importance of implementing these visits was emphasized as a first step paving the way for the implementation of the remainder of the March 2022 agreement.