Activists protested on Thursday outside the luxury New York hotel where they believe Yemen's embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh is staying while seeking medical treatment.

 

The Yemeni leader's whereabouts have not been confirmed since he arrived in the United States Saturday on a chartered flight. U.S. authorities let him in to receive treatment for wounds suffered in an assassination attempt, AFP reported.

 

Demonstrators say on Thursday they have firm information that Saleh is staying at the Ritz-Carlton, a splendid hotel near Central Park in Manhattan. 

 

Protesting on the sidewalk opposite the hotel, the activists waved placards with slogans like "democracies should not host dictators," as well as shocking photographs of people killed in Yemen's year-long popular uprising. 

 

Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman addressed the demonstration via telephone from Sana'a and censured U.S. President Barack Obama's government for hosting Saleh. 

 

"We are so disappointed that Saleh is staying in one of New York city's hotels," Karman said. 

 

She added that "Saleh should be held accountable and referred to the International Criminal Court.” 

 

Saleh left the country shortly after the Yemeni parliament passed a bill granting him full immunity from prosecution. 

 

He flew from Oman to the United States, ending days of speculation about his whereabouts and travel plans. 

 

Washington said that Saleh would enjoy diplomatic immunity during his visit to the US. 

 

Pundits say Saleh's departure from Yemen will facilitate the country's transition from three decades of dictatorial rule. 

 

Yemeni protesters reject the immunity law and say that Saleh and his aides must face prosecution for the killing of hundreds of demonstrators during the popular uprising that began in January 2011.