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Brother of Algeria’s Ex-President Faces New Charges

Said Bouteflika, Asharq Al-Awsat
Said Bouteflika, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Brother of Algeria’s Ex-President Faces New Charges

Said Bouteflika, Asharq Al-Awsat
Said Bouteflika, Asharq Al-Awsat

Said Bouteflika, the youngest brother of former Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is facing serious charges of attempting to manipulate the national justice system by influencing judges working on cases related to his business connections.

Last Thursday, an Algerian judge ordered placing Bouteflika in pretrial detention. He was a part of an investigation involving former Justice Minister Tayeb Louh, who has been in prison for months now.

Louh is accused of covering corruption involving business tycoons close to Bouteflika, namely Ali Haddad, who was indicted in a major graft case.

The investigating judge questioned Bouteflika about phone conversations he had with Louh over the past years, some of which included directions given to the justice minister to overlook legal complaints filed against a number of businessmen.

Louh had confessed to following orders he received from Bouteflika, who at the time was serving as a top presidential aid. This led to freezing many cases filed against businessmen close to the Bouteflika regime.

Last year, a military court in Algeria sentenced Bouteflika to 15 years in prison for plotting against the state and undermining the army.

He was tried alongside two former intelligence chiefs, General Athmane Tartag and General Mohamed Mediene, as well as Louisa Hanoune, the head of the leftist Workers’ party, who were all handed 15-year sentences after a two-day trial held behind closed doors.

Bouteflika had wielded enormous influence as gatekeeper to his ailing brother who was incapacitated by a stroke in 2013 and forced out of office by the army in April after weeks of popular protests against plans to allow him a fifth term in office.

The former president’s brother was seen as the linchpin of an opaque clique of politicians and business leaders who influenced decision-making at the top of the gas-exporting north African country.

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Arab World

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami: PLC's Go-to Man in Handling Yemen's Challenging Files

Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
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Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami: PLC's Go-to Man in Handling Yemen's Challenging Files

Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)

Amid the tensions in Yemen's interim capital Aden rose the name of Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami, also known as Abou Zaraa, as one of the main figures trying to restore calm in southern Yemen.

He was tasked with imposing security and preventing clashes in Aden, reflecting the confidence he enjoys inside the PLC and his rising role in handling sensitive military files.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami was born in 1980 in the Yafaa region in the Abyan province.

He rose to prominence as a decisive field commander during the war in Yemen. In a short period of time, he managed to impose himself through the leadership of the southern Giants Brigades, which had turned into a mighty force in combating the Houthis.

In contrast to several military commanders, Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami was actually involved in ground operations that helped reclaim strategic regions. He consequently gained a military and popular reputation, consolidating his standing in Yemen.

He was named a member of the PLC in April 2022 during one of the most complicated phases of Yemen's recent history. Since then, he has maintained his image as a disciplined military commander who balances between political and security duties.

In May 2023, he was named Vice President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), placing him in a prominent position in both the PLC and on the southern scene. He remained committed to the work of the legitimate government and maintaining security.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami has long held firm stances in combating terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons. These positions made him the go-to man for tackling sensitive security files.

He has been tasked with imposing security in Aden in wake of the latest tensions with the STC.

People familiar with his work said he is keen on protecting civilians and state institutions and preventing political disputes from turning into armed clashes - a challenging task in a city where weapons are everywhere and tensions are high.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami has also represented Yemen at important regional meetings. He recently met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss the security and political developments in Yemen, reflecting the trust he enjoys among regional partners.

Arab World

Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Removed from Yemen's PLC for Committing 'High Treason'

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
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Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Removed from Yemen's PLC for Committing 'High Treason'

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi has been removed from Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) for high treason, announced PLC Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi on Wednesday.

In a decree, Al-Alimi referred Al-Zubaidi to the general prosecutor for committing high treason and harming the unity and security of the state.

The move stems from keenness on the security of all civilians and sovereignty of the republic, said the decree.

Moreover, it accused Al-Zubaidi of "harming the just southern cause and exploiting it to commit grave violations against civilians in southern governorates."

He was also accused of "harming the republic's political and economic interests, violating the constitution and obstructing state efforts to confront the Houthi coup."

Other charges include forming an armed gang and killing officers and members of the armed forces.

Earlier on Wednesday, Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said that Al-Zubaidi had fled to an unknown location after distributing weapons to dozens of elements inside Aden, led by Mu'min Al-Saqqaf and Mukhtar Al-Nubi, with the aim of stoking unrest in Aden in the coming hours.

Arab World

Arab Coalition: Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Flees to Unknown Location Amid Yemen Escalation

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
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Arab Coalition: Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Flees to Unknown Location Amid Yemen Escalation

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said on Wednesday that the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi has fled to an unknown location.

On January 4, the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition informed Al-Zubaidi that he must travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to meet with Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, and the Coalition Forces Command to address the reasons behind the escalation and attacks by forces affiliated with the STC on the governorates of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra.

On January 5, the Presidency of the STC reiterated its appreciation for the efforts led by Saudi Arabia in preparing for a comprehensive southern conference to discuss ways to resolve the southern issue, and confirmed its participation in ensuring the conference's success.

Al-Zubaidi informed the Kingdom of his intention to attend on January 6, and the delegation proceeded to the airport.

However, the departure of Yemenia Airways flight IYE 532, scheduled for 10:10 PM and carrying the delegation, was delayed for more than three hours. The legitimate government and the coalition received intelligence indicating that Al-Zubaidi had moved a large force, including armored vehicles, combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons, and ammunition, from the Jabal Hadid and Al-Solban camps towards Al-Dhaleh around midnight.

The aforementioned flight was allowed to depart, carrying a large number of STC leaders but excluding Al-Zubaidi, who fled to an unknown location.

He left the members and leaders of the STC without any details regarding his whereabouts. This occurred after he distributed weapons and ammunition to dozens of elements inside Aden, led by Mu'min Al-Saqqaf and Mukhtar Al-Nubi, with the aim of stoking unrest in Aden in the coming hours.

This prompted the National Shield Forces and the coalition to request Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami, also known as Abu Zaraa, to impose security, prevent any clashes within Aden, spare its residents any disturbances, protect lives and property, and cooperate with the National Shield Forces.

The coalition forces monitored the movement of the military units as they emerged from the camps and took up positions in a building near Al-Zand camp in Al-Dhaleh Governorate. At 4:00 AM, coalition forces, in coordination with legitimate government forces and the National Shield Forces, launched limited preemptive strikes to disrupt these forces and thwart Al-Zubaidi's attempts to escalate the conflict and extend it into Al-Dhaleh.

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen stress that it is working with the Yemeni government and the local authority in Aden to support and maintain security efforts and confront any military forces targeting cities and civilians.

The command urges all residents to stay away from camps in Aden and Al-Dhaleh, avoid any gatherings of military vehicles for their own safety, and provide information to security agencies regarding any suspicious military movements.