Spanish prosecutors have requested significant prison sentences and heavy fines for politicians, business executives, and company leaders connected to a major bribery scheme involving public projects in Algeria. The ongoing trial centers on allegations that Spanish members of the conservative Popular Party—including a current lawmaker and a former ambassador to India—paid bribes to Algerian officials to win contracts for the Ouargla tramway and the Souk Tlata desalination plant in Tlemcen.
The contracts were reportedly signed between 2009 and 2013 and involved payments disguised as real estate purchases in France and Spain, debt settlements, and education costs for the children of Algerian officials. Complex financial structures routed funds through companies in Dubai, Switzerland, Ireland, and the Netherlands to hide the origins of the payments. Firms linked to the scheme include Shams Al Sabah General Trading, MC Europe FZE, Emerald Business Consulting, and Castelino BV.
Key accused individuals include former parliament member Pedro Gómez de la Serna, former ambassador Gustavo de Arístegui, and two executives from Basque-group Elecnor, each facing up to 18–21 years in prison, hundreds of thousands of euros in fines, and asset seizure. The list of defendants also spans businessmen, consultants, and family members of a deceased intermediary—allegedly the linchpin for making connections in Algeria.
Five companies—including Elecnor, Rover Alcisa, Assignia Infraestructuras, and AS Auditoría & Consulting Navarra—are also on trial for failing to prevent or detect corrupt payments. Prosecutors are seeking fines up to €36.7 million for Elecnor, with substantial penalties for the other firms.
The case first surfaced in November 2015, after a whistleblower reported irregularities to Spanish anti-corruption authorities. Since then, investigators have searched dozens of offices, examined emails and international financial transfers, and issued legal requests in multiple countries, including Algeria, France, Switzerland, the UK, Luxembourg, Ireland, China, and Morocco.
This trial sheds light on the scale and sophistication of bribery and money laundering tied to Algeria’s public sector during the era known as “La Issaba,” when high-level graft was widespread and foreign companies allegedly considered Algeria a prime location for illicit deals. All information is sourced from current news and judicial documents; no details have been fabricated.
