Sanaa specialized court hands down prison sentences for dozens, acquits 37 in massive land fraud case

SANAA, Sept. 05 (YPA) – The Specialized Criminal First Instance Court in Sanaa has issued rulings against 188 defendants accused of forging official documents, impersonating certified legal scribes (Amin Shar’i), and unlawfully seizing thousands of plots of land belonging to the state, the religious endowments (Waqf), and private citizens.

The court sentenced 150 convicted individuals to prison terms ranging from three to seven years, ordering them to sign pledges and post financial guarantees between 3 million and 10 million Yemeni Rials.

The tribunal acquitted 37 defendants, while criminal charges were dropped against one deceased individual. The court also affirmed the right of affected entities to pursue civil litigation.

Additionally, the tribunal ordered the destruction of all forged documents, the confiscation of equipment used in the operation, and the annulment of any legal documentation resulting from the fraud.

The convicted parties were ordered to pay litigation costs to affected institutions, including the General Authority for Endowments and the General Authority for Land and Urban Planning.

The case covers fraudulent activities spanning from 2004 to 2021, with legal proceedings having commenced in 2021.

YPA