Sanaa Public Prosecutors Face Paralysis Amid Ministry Funding Cuts

The Public Prosecutors' Association in Sanaa has warned of an imminent collapse of the justice system and complete paralysis of public prosecution operations, citing continuous violations and arbitrary policies by the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Finance in Sanaa against the judiciary.

In a strongly worded statement of condemnation issued two days ago, the association revealed that the Ministry of Finance, affiliated with the coup government, has committed "grave violations" targeting the public prosecution's budget. These actions include the withdrawal of 30,494,654 Yemeni Riyals from operational expenses, followed by an additional 20% deduction from March's allocations without any legal justification.

The Public Prosecutors' Association described these measures as a "constitutional crime" aimed directly at undermining judicial independence and obstructing the role of public prosecutions in the field. The statement highlighted that this intransigence constitutes a blatant violation of Articles 149 and 152 of the constitution, which guarantee the financial and administrative independence of the judiciary. Furthermore, it places the Minister of Finance, appointed by the Houthis, under criminal liability according to the Penal Code for "obstructing the course of work."

The association announced that this statement serves as a criminal report directed to the Public Prosecutor for Financial Crimes and the Anti-Corruption Authority in Sanaa. They demand an urgent investigation into the Minister of Finance and his unrecognized government, holding them fully responsible for the consequences arising from the financial siege on the judiciary.

The statement further asserted that remaining silent about the Ministry of Finance's encroachment on the judiciary's budget represents negligence of the judiciary's prestige and independence. It implies that the Supreme Judicial Council becomes complicit through silence in the obstruction of public prosecution work and the loss of litigants' rights. The association also pointed out that tampering with the operational expenses of public prosecutions, which involve obligations to third parties, reflects ignorance of the nature of sovereign judicial work and is likely to incite public discontent and increase tension amid the country's difficult circumstances.

The Public Prosecutors' Association of Yemen concluded its statement by affirming that it "will not stand idly by in the face of this absurdity," vowing to pursue all available legal avenues to secure the financial and functional independence of the judiciary and protect its budgets from external interference.