Almotamar.net - The specialised Criminal Court decided on Monday postpone requests for the release of those accused of instigating riot and fomenting for violence , namely Hassan Baoum, Yahya Ghalib al-Shuaibi and Ali Haitham al-Gharib , presented by the defendants defence .

The Court also decided banning publication that would affect the process of justice and permitting publication of only proceedings of the trial. The body defending the defendants withdrew from the court except the defence lawyer of defendant Hassan Baoum.

Defendant Ali Haitham al-Gharib claimed that this charge is a publication charge and that he is a journalist, demanding that his file be sent to the Press Prosecution but the chairman of prosecution replied to the defendant statement that the crime is against the security of the state.

Statements of the defendant Hassan Baoum were read out at the court session, among them his saying that he does not recognize the Republic. When asked about reality of statements attributed to him the defendant confessed that they were his words and said in front of the court that the south is occupied by the "Arab Republic of Yemen" and that he does not recognize the regime and the law. Addressing the Judge he said," I do not recognize the court or its judgment."

The General Prosecution presented evidence against the defendants Hassan Baoum, which is a speech he delivered at Yashim festival, Shabwa governorate on 6 March 2008, including instigation on secession as well as that the south is colonized and its riches are being plundered and demanding the return of the south republic and the liberation of the south from the occupiers and that their slogan is revolution by the south.

When the defendant was asked about phrases attributed to him in his speech he said it was his speech with all its content. The defendant lawyer Mohammed al-Saqqaf said the address that was recorded is considered as violating agreements and conventions and that the whole thing was concocted the prosecution replied that it had permitted monitoring and observations. Chairman of the prosecution said it has nothing remaining concerning the defendant Baoum except demonstrating evidence in voice and picture.

The court then decided postponement for two weeks for demonstration of the rest of evidence.