A Yemeni staff member of the UN Human Rights Office has died in Houthi custody after more than two years in detention, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has announced.

Axar.az reports, citing the UN Human Rights Office, that Mohammad el Shami had been held by Houthi de facto authorities since June 6, 2024. According to information provided by his family, he died more than a month ago, but his relatives were informed only recently.

Turk described his death as "utterly devastating", saying that the family had not received any explanation of the cause or circumstances of his death.

"This is a heartbreaking loss for the UN Human Rights Office and the wider United Nations. Mohammad’s family has not received any explanation of the cause or circumstances of his death – they deserve to know the truth," Turk said.

The High Commissioner called on the Houthi authorities to ensure full transparency and launch an urgent, independent and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the death.