The United States is seriously concerned by the Iranian-backed Houthis' July 9 unjust sentencing of 30 political prisoners to death in Sana'a, Morgan Ortagus, the US Department of State Spokesperson, said in a statement today. Among those sentenced were academics and political figures detained on unfounded, politically motivated charges, she added. Some of those sentenced have also allegedly been physically abused while in detention, the spokesperson stated. "We urge the Iranian-backed Houthis to retract these sentences, treat detainees humanely, and cease arbitrary detentions," she said.