Iran-backed Houthis admit the spread of corruption among their senior officials

The Iran-backed Houthis, admitted to the spread of corruption among their senior officials, as they announced that 94 of them refused to submit financial disclosures to the so-called "Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption" which they operate.

Despite the superficial declaration without real commitment to it, the Houthi officials' refusal to submit financial disclosures confirms the spread of corruption and bribery within the militia and the internationally unrecognized government.

It implicates them in embezzlement of public funds, abuse of power, damage to the national economy, illicit enrichment, wealth accumulation, money laundering through the purchase of land and real estate, the establishment of private projects belonging to the militia, especially universities, schools, hospitals, investment companies, exchange companies, and fuel stations.

Meanwhile, the militia has deprived state employees of their salaries and retirees of their pensions for seven years.

Observers say that the Houthi militia's admission of its leadership's financial and administrative corruption does not represent the group's true approach to combating corruption, but rather highlights the escalating disputes among them and exposes each other's looting of public funds.

The Houthi militia has acknowledged the involvement of its officials in more than 130 corruption cases in various ministries, institutions, and governmental bodies in recent months, causing 25 billion riyals in damage to the country's economy.

Article 24 of the Financial Disclosure Law stipulates that "anyone who fails, without a valid excuse, to submit financial disclosures after being notified according to the provisions of this law shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months. In the event of repetition, the punishment shall be dismissal from the position, in accordance with the applicable laws."