Yemen rebels sentence journalist to death on spying charges

SANAA, Yemen – A court operated by Yemen's Houthi rebels has sentenced a prominent journalist to death on espionage charges, accusing him of collaborating with a Saudi-led coalition that is battling the group.

Houthi gunmen abducted Yehia al-Gebeihy from his home in the rebel-held capital eight months ago.

Dozens of Yemeni journalists released a statement denouncing Wednesday's verdict. The Yemeni journalist syndicate says at least 13 reporters have been detained by the Houthis, who control Sanaa and much of the country's north.

The Saudi-led coalition launched a campaign in support of Yemen's internationally recognized government in March 2015. The stalemated war has pushed the Arab world's poorest country to the brink of famine.