By: Aref Abu Hatem (almotamar.net) - SANA'A- Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said US authorities arrested Amen Ali al-Rouhani, an American citizen, a month and a half ago in California.
In a statement to almotamar.net, al-Qirbi said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)in California charged al-Rouhani with sending body armors and night vision goggles to an unknown party in Yemen. His trial has not begun as yet.
Al-Qirbi pointed out that the Honorary Consul of Yemen in California, Mansour Ismael al-Mulaiki, is following up the details of al-Rouhani's case, but the American authorities treat him [al-Rouhani] as an American citizen.
Al-Mulaiki told al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper that the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in Bakersfield city arrested Amen Ali al-Rouhani, head of Yemeni Expatriates Union, along with two others for espionage charges.
He stated al-Rouhani is still in custody, and that the US authorities asked for bail set at USD 500,000 for his release. Al-Rouhani's friends and relatives are willing to put up property to secure his release. The American authorities have found Al-Moayad�s name in al-Rouhani's address book , Al-Mulaiki added. The three men were charged with dealing secret defense information and stolen military equipment to Yemen.Al-Rouhani's relatives affirmed he purchased two body armors from public stores and wanted to send them as a gift. For his part, lawyer Khalid al-Anesi stressed the government of Yemen should play a role in following up al-Rouhani's case, and make sure of the authenticity of the charges against him