An independent commission accused the opposition Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) Thursday of violating the law on political parties and organizations by including exiled "secessionists" on its central committee.
The commission on party and political organization affairs declared in an overnight statement "null and contrary to the law on political parties the inclusion by the YSP of members condemned for high treason."
At its most recent congress, in September, the YSP had included on its central committee its leaders in exile, including Ali Salem al-Baid, who is living in Oman. He is a former secretary general of the party and president of a short-lived republic declared in Aden, in southern Yemen, in 1994.
The YSP, which ruled the former South Yemen until it merged with the north in 1990, had attempted a secession in 1994, which was defeated by loyalist troops.
Its principal leaders are in exile and have all been condemned to death in absentia -- SANAA (AFP)
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