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He was a young man, not yet twenty-four, with dreams of a better future for his city—dreams of a culture that would enlighten minds and unite hearts. Amjad Abdulrahman led a cultural movement in Aden at a time when ideas were fought with weapons and words were suppressed with bullets. Little did he know that the price of his dreams would be his life.

Months before his assassination, Amjad stood up against the demolition of a historic mosque in Aden—an act that would replace the mosque with commercial shops. Amjad and his colleagues organized a protest and launched an online campaign to stop the demolition. His stance angered those who felt threatened by his influence. This was the spark.

Threats and the First Arrest

They didn’t stop at inciting hatred against him; the matter escalated to Imam Al-Noubi, commander of the 20th Brigade. He sent direct threats to Amjad, who was subsequently arrested and tortured at the camp. They wanted to break his spirit, but they didn’t realize that Amjad was stronger than they had imagined.

The Cold-Blooded Assassination

On the afternoon of May 14, 2017, Amjad was in the internet café where he worked, in the Sheikh Othman neighborhood. Suddenly, a motorcycle pulled up in front of the café. The killer entered, dressed in civilian clothes and wearing a mask, and fired at Amjad without mercy. One shot to the head, another to the chest, and a third to the neck. He then coldly addressed the bystanders: “Anyone who moves will get a bullet.” He exited calmly and left on the motorcycle, without any rush.

The street was eerily empty, an oddity for this busy part of Sheikh Othman. It seemed meticulously planned to carry out the crime and make a quick getaway. Even though the police were notified immediately, they didn’t arrive for two hours—when they could have reached the scene in five minutes.

The Attempt to Steal the Body

The crime didn’t end there. At the hospital where Amjad’s body was taken, a military vehicle from the 20th Brigade arrived. They tried to take his body under the pretext of “honoring the dead by burying them.” However, his friends who had gathered at the hospital stood their ground. The killers realized the situation was escalating, so they withdrew temporarily, but their plans were far from over.

Besieging Mourners and Arresting Journalists

The following day, the mosques were forbidden from holding a prayer for Amjad. The killers spread rumors, calling him “an atheist,” in an attempt to tarnish his reputation and prevent people from mourning him. Even the neighbors were warned to stay away. Armed members of the 20th Brigade surrounded his family’s house, watching anyone who approached.

Three journalists—Amjad’s close friends—Hani Al-Junaid, Majid Al-Shaibi, and Hussam Radman—left the family home. They were intercepted by armed men and taken to the 20th Brigade camp. There, they were subjected to brutal torture. Beaten, shocked with electricity, and threatened with death.

Imam Al-Noubi himself appeared. Furious, he assaulted Hani Al-Junaid, stating: “We will kill you just like we killed Amjad.” The message was clear: anyone who dares to uncover the truth would meet the same fate.

Escaping Aden

After days of torture, the journalists were released, but the threats didn’t cease. The killers’ eyes were still on them. They were forced to hide, then flee to Hadhramaut. Other friends of Amjad’s also left Aden, some to Cairo, others to Sana’a, in order to escape the same fate that befell Amjad.

Missing Justice and a Silent Killers’ Lament

Years passed, and no one was held accountable for Amjad’s murder. The killers remained in their positions of power, ruling with guns, silencing any voice that dared to speak out.

But despite everything, they did not silence Amjad’s voice. His words continued to echo throughout Aden, his ideas remained alive, passed down through generations, inspiring anyone who dreams of change.

Amjad did not die. He lives on in the memory of a city that refused to forget its brave son.

Previously unpublished details about the assassination of cultural activist Amjad Mohammed Abdul Rahman, in this report

Note

|  This report is part of the “For Truth” project report series implemented by the Free Media Center for Investigative Journalism in partnership with the DT Institute.