A Yemeni father has described his “relief and satisfaction” after witnessing the public execution of a man convicted of raping and murdering his three-year-old daughter.

Thousands of people gathered to witness the execution of Muhammad al-Maghrabi in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, and it was broadcasted across the country on national television.

The Moroccan national was convicted of rape and murder by a court run by the Shi’ite Houthi rebels in control of the capital, and was initially sentenced to 100 lashes after reportedly admitting the crime.

But amid widespread public outrage, the judge decided that the punishment was not enough and al-Maghrabi’s execution was ordered.

The 41-year-old was killed by a police officer using an AK-style machine gun which was shot into his back as he lay on the ground.

Speaking to the MailOnline, the child’s father, Yahya Almatari, who reportedly stood at the front of the crowd during the execution, said: “I feel as if I have been reborn. This is the first day of my life. I am relieved now.

“Justice and the ruling of God and Sharia law have prevailed.

He added: “I watched my daughter Rana's killer being executed in Tahrir Square in Sana'a then I went with the men of my family and neighbours and some of the people in the crowd to the hospital where Rana was in the morgue.

“We took her small body and buried her in the nearby cemetery. My wife Jamileh and I are grateful to God. Justice and the ruling of Allah have been done.”

People gather to watch the execution of Muhammad al-Maghrabi with many taking pictures and filming the scene (REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah ) (REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah)

In Yemen, Sharia law is the source of all legislation, according to reports by the US State Department.

Under Sharia law, murder is punishable by the death sentence. Beheading is the most common form of execution, but the law does not state the means by which capital punishment may be carried out.

Since early 2015, Sana’a has been controlled by Houthi insurgents, which is a predominantly Shia-led religious and political movement.

The group has been accused of human rights violations including the use of child soldiers.

The group’s slogan is “God is the Greatest, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse the Jews, Victory to Islam.”

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