Algeria: Another former Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sellal detained for corruption

Posted On 13 June 2019

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Abdelmalek Sellal
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The North Africa Journal – June 13, 2019:  In another unprecedented move, judicial authorities tied to the Supreme Court placed former Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal under a detention warrant in the El-Harrach prison. Sellal, another highly unpopular operative in the now-defunct Bouteflika regime, has been formally charged in several corruption cases after being heard by the investigating judge at the Supreme Court.This is the first time since the independence of the country that two former prime ministers have been detained for corruption and squandering of public funds.

Like Ahmed Ouyahia, Abdelmalek Sellal has been formally indicted in several compromising cases related to dubious markets, illegal privileges, abuse of power and trading in influence. A trial date has not been set yet.

Meanwhile, several former officials, from ex-ministers and members of the political bureau of the ruling RND party known to be loyal to Ahmed Ouyahia are being targeted by investigations, likely to lead many of them to jail. Among them is former Minister of Culture, Azzedine Mihoubi, who is accused of illegally stirring public contracts in the arts and cultural sector to benefit his relationships. Sources say preliminary investigations have been completed and Mihoubi is expected to be summoned by a prosecutor.  The RND, a party presided by Ahmed Ouyahia, is also targeted by probes in efforts to unravel the illegal dealings of its senior members and financial wrongdoing tied to the Ouyahia support system.

Second Algeria ex-PM detained in graft probe: state media

Algiers, June 13, 2019 (AFP) – Algeria’s former prime minister Abdelmalek Sellal was remanded in custody Thursday after appearing before a judge as part of an anti-corruption investigation, state media reported. The supreme court decision against the ally of ex-president Abdelaziz Bouteflika comes a day after another former premier, Ahmed Ouyahia, was also remanded in custody.

The two politicians are among numerous high-profile figures to be drawn into graft probes since Bouteflika was forced to step down in April following weeks of mass protests. Sellal served as Bouteflika’s campaign manager, overseeing the president’s past three successful re-election bids. He was sacked in March amid mounting public opposition to an attempt to place Bouteflika on the ballot again despite the veteran president’s ailing health. On Thursday, private channel El Bilad broadcast footage of crowds waiting for Sellal’s arrival outside El Harrach prison, in an eastern suburb of the capital Algiers.

Both Sellal and Ouyahia are being held over cases relating to the misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office and granting undue privileges, according to the official APS news agency. A former public works minister, Abdelghani Zaalane, also appeared before a supreme court judge on Wednesday and was released under judicial supervision, state media reported.

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The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.

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