The Yemeni government has escalated its measures against the dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC), with the public prosecutor ordering a precautionary freeze on the group’s assets and bank accounts while the government simultaneously presses the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on its leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi. According to informed sources cited by the Aden al-Ghad newspaper, Attorney General Judge Qaher Mustafa issued an order freezing all assets and bank accounts belonging to the dissolved STC held by banks, financial institutions, exchange companies and money-transfer businesses. The move is part of efforts aimed at protecting public funds, combating corruption and money laundering, and restoring state control over financial and sovereign resources. The order prohibits any disposal of the frozen funds, including withdrawals, transfers, assignments or other legal and financial transactions, pending the completion of investigations and further directives from the Public Prosecution or competent judicial authorities. It also requires the Central Bank of Yemen, commercial and Islamic banks, financial institutions and exchange companies to implement the measures immediately and report any accounts, balances or assets linked to the entity under investigation. The Public Prosecution said the action was based on what it described as sufficient preliminary indicators suggesting that the funds may be connected to matters currently under investigation. It stressed that the asset freeze is a temporary legal measure intended to preserve disputed funds until judicial proceedings are completed. Earlier this year, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council removed al-Zubaidi from its membership and referred him to the attorney general on charges including “high treason aimed at undermining the independence of the republic” under Article 125 of the Crimes and Penalties Law, and harming the republic’s military, political and economic standing under Article 128. The referral also accused him of forming an armed group, involvement in the killing of military officers and soldiers, exploiting and damaging the Southern cause through serious abuses against civilians and attacks on military installations, and engaging in sustained armed confrontations against government forces. According to the decision, the charges further include violating the constitution and constitutional authorities under Articles 131 and 132 of the Crimes and Penalties Law, breaching national laws and infringing on the country’s sovereignty and independence. The judicial action coincided with a diplomatic campaign by the Yemeni government, which urged the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on al-Zubaidi and add him to the UN sanctions list. Yemen called on the council to regularly update sanctions lists to include individuals and entities accused of undermining state institutions or attempting to impose political or military realities by force outside constitutional and legal frameworks. The request was made during a Security Council session on developments in Yemen. Yemen’s permanent representative said the government was prepared to cooperate fully with the United Nations and the sanctions committee and provide any additional information or documentation needed to support international accountability efforts. The government accuses al-Zubaidi of leading unilateral political and military actions that weakened state institutions, obstructed efforts to unify security and military command structures, threatened domestic stability and hindered political settlement efforts.
