UN rights staffer dies in Houthi custody; UN demands probe

Mohammad el Shami, a Yemeni staff member of the UN Human Rights Office held by the Houthis since June 2024, has died in custody, UN rights chief Volker Turk said. His family learnt of the death over a month later, with no explanation. Turk sought an independent investigation and the release of other detained UN personnel. The Houthis did not comment.