A Yemeni court began the trial of five Yemenis accused...

A Yemeni court began the trial of five Yemenis accused of kidnapping a German man who was freed by army commandos after nearly two weeks of captivity, journalists said.
They said the prosecution called for the death penalty for the five men - four of whom are still at large - charged with abducting 50-year-old Carl Lehrner and with armed resistance.
Lehrner was handed over to his embassy on December 8 after Yemeni special forces, backed by helicopters, stormed the kidnappers' hideout. Ahmed Nasser al-Zayedi, the only defendant present at the trial which was held under tight security, pleaded guilty.
"I have no political motives (for the kidnapping), but acted due to my living conditions," said Zaydi, in his 30s. He said he had been unemployed for more than five years and accused government troops of destroying his house and farm.