Official Reports Uncover Billions in Corruption Cases Against Yemeni Government

Recent findings from the Central Organization for Control and Auditing have revealed that the Public Prosecution has initiated legal actions in over 20 corruption cases involving billions of dollars. These cases include embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, terrorism financing, tax evasion, and violations detrimental to the state.

According to a report submitted to the Presidential Leadership Council by the Attorney General, the Public Prosecution is responsible for safeguarding public finances and tackling corruption and money laundering. They have begun legal proceedings based on numerous complaints and reports.

The allegations encompass various forms of corruption, including fraudulent contracts for vital projects, power generation leasing agreements, misuse of public funds, encroachments on state land, and customs evasion.

Reports indicate that some cases have already been referred to public funds courts, which have ruled on four cases involving banks and money exchange companies that failed to comply with anti-money laundering laws. These institutions faced fines totaling millions of riyals and were ordered to fulfill all requests from the Financial Information Unit.

Additionally, several cases remain under consideration by public funds courts, including contracts related to constructing the Aden Refinery power plant and facilitating land grabs in Aden's free zone.

The Attorney General has acted on various cases, implementing urgent legal measures to protect public finances. However, some ministries and government bodies have reportedly been unresponsive, causing delays in several ongoing investigations.

Key cases highlighted include:

• The freezing of nearly 27 billion riyals from a former governor's accounts, who is being pursued for embezzling billions.
• Mismanagement at the Yemeni consulate in Jeddah, including the unauthorized expenditure of over 91 million SAR and failure to remit 156 million SAR in passport fees.
• Embezzlement of $268,000 in consular income by staff at the Yemeni embassy in Egypt.
• Irregularities in contracts for petroleum products worth $285 million, harming public funds.
• Misallocation of $180 million in contracts with a Chinese company for the Aden Refinery without actual need.
• Corruption linked to the purchase of a floating vessel for $128 million, with fraudulent upfront payments.
• An annual financial burden exceeding $107 million due to renewed diesel fuel purchase contracts.
• Export of $1.2 billion worth of crude oil from Petro Masila, transferred to offshore accounts.
• Payment of $7 million for a 15% contractor share in Block 5.
• Encroachments on over 476 million square meters of state land across liberated provinces.
• The looting of 25 state-owned farms encompassing 62,844 acres.

The reports highlight a disturbing pattern of financial mismanagement and corruption that has cost the Yemeni treasury hundreds of millions of dollars, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and reform.