Yemen denies arresting British lawyer

Yemen has denied having arrested British lawyer Rashad Yaqoub who tries to help five British accused of conspiracy in launching a campaign of explosions in the country.

A Yemeni security official said on Monday that the British lawyer was summoned in order to make sure his stay in Yemen is legal after the authorities received reports indicating that he stays illegally in Yemen because his visa has terminated.

The deputy chairman of the general security department in Aden, Ahmad Muthanna, said that Yaqoub was admitted to a hospital in Aden after he almost fainted and it was found that he had breathing problems.

Muthanna stated that Yaqoub returned to normal later on and that he is in stable condition.

However, the British Foreign ministry had announced that Yaqoub was arrested and was released later on.

The British lawyer represents the interests of the five British families accused of forming an armed group to carry out plans violating security in Yemen.