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Yemen

Mohammed B.Z. [CASE DISMISSED]

Type of liability
Personne physique

Alleged perpetrator(s)
Mohammed B.Z.

Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
Emirati

Legal classification of crime(s)
Complicity in torture and acts of barbarity
Complicity in war crimes

Source of the complaint
NGO
Victim

Ongoing proceedings
non

Regime
2 - 689-1 CPP
3 - 689-11 CPP

Summary of facts

Mohammed B.Z., President of the United Arab Emirates, is allegedly complicit in acts of torture committed in detention centers controlled by the Emirati armed forces.

He also allegedly participated in the injuries or deaths of civilians caused by bombings during a funeral in Sanaa in late 2016, bombings attributed to the forces of the coalition in which Abu Dhabi participates.

Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.

Legal proceedings

<p>In November 2018: six Yemeni victims and the International Alliance for Defending Rights and Freedom filed a complaint with civil party application for “complicity in torture” and “complicity in war crimes” with the specialized unit of the Paris High Court.<br />
In 2021: the PNAT asked the investigating judge to issue a dismissal order on account of the immunity of Mohammed B.Z. in his capacity as head of State.<br />
In July 2021: the investigating judge issued a dismissal order on the grounds of that immunity. The civil parties appealed.<br />
January 5, 2022: the dismissal order was upheld on appeal.<br />
October 12, 2022: the complainants appealed to the Court of Cassation.<br />
November 16, 2022: the Court of Cassation decided to close the proceedings against Mohammed B.Z. on the basis of his immunity.</p>

Legal issues

Immunity

Complaint

non

Legal basis for jurisdiction (article)

689-2 CCP
689-11 CCP

Sources

Mediapart, "Guerre au Yémen: la justice française clôt une procédure visant le président émirati", 2022

Le Figaro, "Guerre au Yémen : la Cour de cassation clôt une procédure visant le président émirati", 2022

Cour de cassation, arrêt du 16 novembre 2022