Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad al-Alimi announced on Monday a series of measures aimed at cracking down on corruption in government institutions and to safeguard public funds.
The unprecedented measures – also aimed at combating money-laundering and terrorism financing – were announced after the PLC had received reports from audit and judicial agencies on major corruption cases that have taken place in recent years.
Yemeni state media said al-Alimi issued “urgent” orders to complete probes in pending corruption cases and for follow up to take place with the relevant audit authorities.
Cases will be referred to the judiciary and wanted suspects in Yemen and abroad will be pursued.
The Yemeni people will eagerly await the outcome of the crackdown, looking forward to an improvement in government work and transparency, the establishment of a state of law and protection of state resources.
The General Prosecution consequently urged action in over 20 financial corruption, money-laundering, terrorism financing and tax evasion cases.
The Prosecution is also looking into corruption cases in contracts related to vital projects, power generation, violations of state property and illegal seizure of oil derivatives.
The Prosecution has, however, complained that some state agencies have failed to meet its request for evidence and documents, therefore impeding its investigations.
Moreover, it said that it has received requests to freeze the assets of individuals and entities involved in money-laundering and terrorism financing, including figures associated with the Iran-backed Houthi militias.
The central organization of control and audit had previously spoken of grave violations committed by the Central Bank since its headquarters were moved to Aden in 2016 and until late 2021. The violations included the manipulation of financial revenues and illegal appropriation of consular fees.
The Yemeni consulate in Jeddah alone has committed violations reaching 156 million Saudi riyals. In Egypt, it found that employees at the Yemeni embassy had seized 268,000 dollars in consular income through forged documents.
In the energy sector, the organization noted grave violations in contracts related to providing oil derivatives, including wasting over 285 million dollars in public funds.
It also spoke of systematic violations on state property, covering over 476 million square meters. It said these violations were committed by armed groups and influential figures who had exploited the war to loot state property.
