Sanaa — A high-ranking Yemeni official who was detained by the Houthis for over a year died after his release due to injuries sustained in prison.

The Yemeni police held Houthi militias and forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh responsible for his death.

“Col. Mohammed Jaafar Al-Jundi died of injuries sustained by Houthis’ torture,” a statement issued by the police department in Taiz said.

Houthis kidnapped Jundi more than a year ago and they released him a month ago but he died as a result of injuries resulting from brutal torture, the statement said.

The police accused Abdo Al-Jundi who was assigned by the rebels as governor of Taiz of conspiring against the deceased colonel and said Abdo will sooner or later be held accountable.

According to Mohammed Al-Jundi’s relatives, Houthis kidnapped Mohammed from his house east of Taiz on August 24 last year and he was continuously tortured while in prison leading to serious injuries which eventually led to his death.

Jundi held several security posts in Taiz. He was the chief of security in Taiz Police until May 2015 when the Houthis tried to storm the city.

He was kidnapped after he refused to cooperate and work with the Houthis, and he was held in a secret prison where he was not allowed any visits.

Yemen’s legitimate government said in April that more than 70 kidnapped men were killed by the Houthis and forces loyal to Saleh due to brutal and inhumane torture in detention centers. — Al Arabiya English