Yahyaa (John McEwen) was subjected to Islamophobic and inhumane treatment by HMP High Down prison officers. On Thursday 4 April 2024, 10 officers searched his cell, strip-searched him, X-ray body scanned him, and then placed him in segregation without any explanation.

Yahyaa was fasting and the prison refused to give him food to break his fast in the evening, which violates his right to practise his faith freely. Under the Nelson Mandela Rules, prisoners are entitled to food and drinking water with no exception and these must never be withheld or reduced as a disciplinary sanction.

HMP High Down have infringed upon Yahyaa's fundamental rights and also pose a serious threat to his physical and mental well-being, which is completely unacceptable.

Yahyaa has suffered offensive language, aggressive behaviour, and discrimination from prison officers at HMP High Down in the past, and this has been getting worse.