German ambassador to Yemen opposes immunity law

January 13, 2012

SANA’A: Amidst debate in Yemen surrounding the drafting by the coalition government of an “immunity law” which would guarantee President Ali Abdullah Saleh and some of his closest aides immunity from future prosecutions, Germany’s ambassador to Yemen declared that such a move was “one of the biggest obstacles to implement the GCC brokered power-transfer deal.”

The General People’s Congress immediately retaliated to the declaration by demanding the immediate expulsion of the Holger Green, arguing that such comments were aimed at igniting further tensions in the already war-torn nation, endangering a peaceful transition of power.

Germany always was critical of a deal allowing Yemeni state officials guilty of blatant violations against human rights to walk free, often threatening President Saleh and his coterie of legal proceedings within its own borders.

In a new bid to remove Saleh from power permanently UN special envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, just announced that the UNSC 5 permanent members were willing to offer Saleh and 600 of his loyalists immunity from prosecution if they’d agreed to immediately leave Yemen.

Saleh and his close family members would be permanently banned from ever returning to Yemen, alongside defected General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar and Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar. All others beneficiaries from immunity would have the possibility to return to their homeland after a 5 year period, given that they refrain from running for public office.

Both the sheikh and the general agreed to such terms.