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