WOMEN'S GROUP PROTESTS MOAYAD RULING, SEEKS

UNCLAS SANAA 002053 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER KWMN YM SUBJECT: WOMEN'S GROUP PROTESTS MOAYAD RULING, SEEKS HUMANITARIAN PARDON ¶1. On July 26, the ROYG-supported Yemeni Women's Union (YWU) staged a sit-in at their Sanaa headquarters to protest the U.S. verdict against Sheikh Moayad. Moayed was found guilty of providing material support to terrorists by a U.S. federal court in March. Following the peaceful protest, a group of YWU representatives including Moayed's daugher Khadijah met briefly with CDA to deliver letters addressed to President Bush, the Department of Justice, and Ambassador. ¶2. The women called for Moayad's release on humanitarian grounds due to his age and poor health. Their letter, asking the U.S. to "redress the injustice against Moayad and release him immediately," was also signed by all major Yemeni political parties and several leading non-governmental organizations. The women told CDA that Moayad's release would "sustain our belief in the U.S. as the world's preeminent supporter of justice and human rights." ¶3. Post will forward the letters to President Bush and DOJ via pouch. Khoury