Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a leader of the opposition Yemen Socialist Party in a suburb of the nation's capital Monday, reported the Associated Press (AP), quoting a spokesman for the party.
Mohammed Deifallah, 35, died from his wounds before reaching the hospital after gunmen opened fire on him at his property in the hamlet of Sanhan, just south of Sanaa, the spokesman told the agency, adding the gunmen fled the scene.
The spokesman did not give further details.
It was unclear if there were any witnesses to the attack, AP added.
Deifallah, who was the party leader in Sanhan, was an outspoken critic of the government, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement of funds. The party spokesman called the attack a "terrorist act, which threatens the freedom of expression and political pluralism in the country."
A government official in Sanaa confirmed the murder, but denied allegations that it was politically motivated. Police were investigating the murder, AP reported.
The Yemen Socialist Party is Yemen's main opposition group. The party last year boycotted the country's first direct presidential elections, accusing the government of ordering legislators not to back their nominee, AP said - Albawaba.com
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