SANAA, 4 January 2004 — Seven Yemeni students went on trial here yesterday, accused of sparking unrest and wounding three security guards at the University of Sanaa last month, a judicial source told AFP news agency.
The defendants, all members of the opposition, are accused of “(illegal) possession of arms and provoking unrest and aggression against employees of the state.”
They denied the accusations against them during the 30-minute hearing. If found guilty, they could be sentenced to no less than two years in prison.
Their lawyer, Jamal Al-Jaabi, secured their temporary release in order to sit their exams before the next hearing set for Feb. 28.
Three security guards were wounded, one of them seriously, in clashes with armed students at the university on Dec. 24.
The students had tried to force the holding of union elections without referring to official organizing bodies or unions.
Witnesses said armed men had entered classrooms and started to shoot in the air and fire off teargas canisters.
