By: Jamil al-Jadabi - HADRAMOUT- Residents of Bin Ayfan district have criticized the speech of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP)'s presidential candidate, Faisal Bin Shamlan, as it publicly insulted and defamed them by stating Bin Ayfan district is a center for drugs.
A statement released by Sheikhs and prominent figures of Bin Ayfan district described Bin Shamlan's speech as a biased propaganda. In a statement to almotamar.net, a high-ranking security source in Hadramout province denied that security authorities have seized drugs or received any information on citizens possessing drugs in Bin Ayfan district. He indicated Bin Ayfan includes a checkpoint to maintain order and peace in the district. What Bin Shamlan has stated in his speech falls under the frame of electoral exaggerations, he added.
In Yemen, opposition speech often depends on what it believes to be international reports and foreign statements that criticize the government.
Bin Shamlan disclosed Saturday international foreign reports that state Bin Ayfan district is a center for drugs, accusing the government of not reading such reports and being unable to arrest and inspect people there.
A large number of Sheikhs and citizens in Bin Ayfan announced their clinging to their legal right in complaining through concerned authorities about Bin Shamlan's accusations attached to them. In their statement, of which almotamar.net obtained a copy, they asked the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum to put an end to moral violations, warning of using democracy in doing injustice to and slandering people's morals.