Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
A comprehensive human rights report by SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties has revealed systematic looting operations carried out by the Houthi group against the properties of companies and political opponents in areas under their control, through what they call the “Judicial Custodian.”
The report focuses on the group’s seizure of the “Modern Pharmaceuticals” and “International” companies, and emphasizes the use of judicial appointments as a means to persecute opponents and seize their properties under illegal pretexts.
According to the report, the Houthi group used the so-called “Judicial Custodian” apparatus as a tool to confiscate assets and seize resources, without legal oversight.
They resorted to judicial bodies, such as the Public Funds Prosecution and Court, to legitimize confiscation operations, and used the Central Bank in Sana’a to impose seizures on the funds of their opponents.
The report indicated that the losses of the two companies due to these arbitrary practices were estimated at $55 million, noting that the stored medicines were damaged due to unsuitable storage conditions.
It also documented the psychological and physical pressure exerted on detained employees, which resulted in the death of three employees due to pressure and ill-treatment.
SAM Organization called on the Houthi group to stop all confiscation activities and return the properties to their rightful owners. It also called on the Yemeni government to form a special unit to document the looted assets.
It also urged the UN Security Council to monitor the Houthis’ financial activities and include those responsible for these violations on international sanctions lists.
