Algerian Government Accused of Negligence After Death of Former Minister in Prison

Police officers wait near a prisoner transport vehicle by the gate of a court, after businessmen suspected of corruption were driven into the building in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)
Police officers wait near a prisoner transport vehicle by the gate of a court, after businessmen suspected of corruption were driven into the building in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)
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Algerian Government Accused of Negligence After Death of Former Minister in Prison

Police officers wait near a prisoner transport vehicle by the gate of a court, after businessmen suspected of corruption were driven into the building in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)
Police officers wait near a prisoner transport vehicle by the gate of a court, after businessmen suspected of corruption were driven into the building in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)

A former Algerian minister, Musa Benhamadi, has died in prison from the COVID-19 illness, his family nnounced his family on Saturday, accusing the Ministry of Justice of “negligence.”

Jurists said there were "strong suspicions" that a number of people were infected with the coronavirus after attending trials where they did not respect health precautions and maintain social distancing.

One of Benhamadi's relatives told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Minister's brothers have accused the Ministry of Justice of negligence in providing health care for him and would be filing a complaint against the prison administration.

The family of the late minister accused the administration of the prison of delaying his treatment, saying he contracted the virus on July 4 and was not transferred quickly to a hospital in Algiers until the 13th of the same month.

The relative of Benhamadi confirmed that his condition worsened and the prison administration did not transfer him to the hospital until after suffering from difficulty breathing.

He died on Friday night after the ventilator failed to keep him alive.

The prison administration did not act quickly and had plenty of time to provide him with needed treatment, according to the relative, who asserted that his family blames the administration for not saving him.

The former minister was buried in his hometown Ras el-Ma, 250 km east of Algiers, in the presence of the town’s imam and his two sons only.

Authorities banned hundreds of people from attending the funeral for health reasons.

The former minister was prosecuted in cases of corruption related to deals in violation of legislation in the telecommunications and mobile phones sector, during the reign of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

He was one of the prominent leaders of the National Liberation Front, knowing that two former leaders of the Front, Mohammad Jumaiy and Jamal Ould Abbas were also imprisoned on corruption charges.

The two former prime ministers, Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal, have been in hospital for a week after they contracted the coronavirus in prison. They were convicted of corruption during Bouteflika’s era and sentenced to prison in four cases.

Families of thousands of prisoners are concerned about their relatives’ health conditions, after the death of Benhamadi.

Lawyers attending the cases of government officials and businessmen suspect that during the past months many contracted the virus during their trials where health measures were not respected, especially social distancing.

Attorney Khaled Bouraya, who is defending a prominent businessman convicted to 12 years in prison, said that the trial was not open to the public, however, many of the attendees did not maintain the distance.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that some of them were wearing the masks in a way that did not protect them from the virus and put others at risk.

Bouraya indicated that the defense couldn't rule out the possibility that their client and his brothers were infected with the virus during the trials that lasted for a week. He added that there was a possibility that they transmitted the virus upon their return to prison.

The lawyer announced that the prison administration and the Justice Ministry are responsible for ensuring courts are safe and providing treatment to prisoners, adding that it is their right to receive treatment like all citizens.



Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, stating that Moscow “has not and will not withdraw from the region.” He emphasized ongoing communication with Syria’s new leadership and expressed readiness to support the political process in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov attributed Syria’s deteriorating situation to the previous regime, blaming its unwillingness to implement reforms and share power with the opposition.

“The refusal of the former Syrian regime to make any changes or share power with the opposition was one of the primary reasons for its collapse,” he said.

Lavrov noted that over the past decade, since President Bashar al-Assad requested Russian intervention in the Syrian war and the launch of the Astana peace process, Damascus had delayed advancing the political path.

“Despite support from Arab nations, Syrian authorities showed reluctance to move forward politically and sought to maintain the status quo,” he explained.

He highlighted Russia’s repeated calls for the Syrian government to engage with the Constitutional Committee, established during the 2018 Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, and to actively work on drafting a new constitution.

Lavrov also pointed to economic challenges exacerbated by sanctions, which have stifled Syria’s economy, and US control over oil-rich eastern regions. Resources were exploited to fuel separatist ambitions in northeastern Syria, he remarked.

Moreover, the FM revealed details of Moscow’s earlier discussions with Kurdish groups, reiterating his country’s position that Kurdish rights should be guaranteed within the constitutional frameworks of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Türkiye.

He argued that the previous Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in political dialogue resulted in stalled reforms proposed by the United Nations, Moscow and Cairo platforms, and Istanbul-based opposition groups. This inaction, he said, created a vacuum that ultimately led to the collapse.

Furthermore, he dismissed claims that his country’s withdrawal from Syria would signal its departure from the Middle East.

“Russia has not and will not leave the region,” he declared. Without directly addressing the status of Russian military bases in Syria, Lavrov emphasized: “Our embassy never left Damascus, and we maintain ongoing communication with the authorities.”

He also stressed Russia’s willingness to facilitate inclusive dialogue involving all national, political and sectarian factions, as well as relevant international stakeholders. Lavrov underscored that recent discussions with Türkiye, Gulf nations, and other parties demonstrated widespread agreement that Russia and Iran must be involved in the Syrian peace process if sustainable results are to be achieved.

For his part, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed Russia’s focus on developments in Syria, describing relations with Damascus as a “priority of Russian foreign policy.”

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Bogdanov might soon lead a Russian delegation to Damascus. However, a Russian diplomatic source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that no date for the visit has been confirmed. The visit, which was reportedly postponed, would mark the first by a senior Russian official to Damascus since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.

Meanwhile, media reports indicated that Moscow is facing logistical challenges in withdrawing military equipment from Syria, due to restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities on the movement of Russian ships in territorial waters.

According to the English-language edition of RT, the Russian ship Sparta 2, designated to transport military equipment and weapons, was denied entry to the Port of Tartus, where Russia maintains its only overseas naval base.