Al-Marrani is listed for orchestrating unlawful acts of torture and detention that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Yemen, including acts that violate applicable international humanitarian law and that resulted in the obstruction of access to humanitarian assistance in Yemen, thereby meeting the criteria for designation as laid out in Paragraph 17 of resolution 2140 (2014), as further elaborated by paragraph 19 of resolution 2216 (2015), as well as paragraph 18(c) of resolution 2140 .   

As Deputy Head of the Houthi National Security Bureau (NSB), Al-Marrani directed the arrest, detention, and ill treatment of humanitarian workers and others working in humanitarian assistance and was also found to have abused his authority and influence over humanitarian access as leverage to generate personal profit. The Panel of Experts on Yemen documented these activities in its 2018 Final Report (see S/2018/594, paragraph 193).  

As further documented by the Panel of Experts on Yemen, Al-Marrani oversaw detainees of the NSB, who were reportedly subjected to torture and other mistreatment during their detention. He also orchestrated the extortion, intimidation, and the illegal arrest of company managers and bank directors, with threats of accusing them of collaboration and spying for the enemy unless they complied with judicial custodian orders. 

Verification of role in human rights abuses: 

- Human Rights Watch Report (English) – “Yemen: Houthi Hostage Taking” (https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/25/yemen-houthi-hostage-taking#) [Accessed on 11/Feb/22] 

- Al Ain News (Arabic) - “Amer Al-Marrani.. Man of the "black missions" of the Houthis” (https://al-ain.com/article/amer-marani-yemen) [Accessed on 11/Feb/22] 

(“As for the fourth brother, Mutlaq Al-Marrani is granted the rank of brigadier general and the nickname Abu Emad by the Houthi militia. His terrorist activities have become a source of international concern, as he is one of the most dangerous leaders of the intelligence service involved in the flagrant violation of the lives of Yemenis.”) 

- Al Marjie (Arabic) - “Abu Imad Al-Marani: A Houthi leader responsible for recruiting women and looting relief funds” (https://www.almarjie-paris.com/15182) [Accessed on 11/Feb/22] 

(“She also confirmed that he was responsible for recruiting young women and luring them to work for the Houthis, adding that he was "Forcing them to make obscene videos in order to pressure and blackmail them later, and assign them afterwards." By arresting the employees and officials of some organizations, he was then able to impose certain conditions later on those organizations. She revealed that Al-Marrani recruited dozens of girls, taking advantage of their need for money, and sent them to lure his opponents.”) 

- Al Arabiya (Arabic) - “ ‘Terrifying’ details about Houthi leaders affected by US sanctions” (تفاصيل "مرعبة" عن قيادات حوثية طالتها عقوبات أميركية (alarabiya.net)) [Accessed on 11/Feb/22] 

(“Al-Marrani was also involved in crimes of serious violations and torture of those who were kidnapped, including what the activist and former Yemeni detainee, Samira Al-Houri, revealed about moral and financial crimes and his role in luring political and tribal figures, stressing that he took over the file of recruiting girls to spy on the activities of international organizations and United Nations staff. Additionally, he reportedly imposes royalties on these organizations, and shares huge sums of millions of dollars with some of its employees who have become fearful of his brutality and threats.”) 

- Al-Mashhad al-Araby (Arabic) - “Blackmailing the Houthis on relief organizations: What did the militias do?” (https://almashhadalaraby.com/news/133104) [Accessed on 11/Feb/22]