Algeria Awaits Prosecution of New Batch of Bouteflika Era Ministers

Part of the demonstrations demanding the trial of Bouteflika regime officials in the center of Algiers (AFP)
Part of the demonstrations demanding the trial of Bouteflika regime officials in the center of Algiers (AFP)
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Algeria Awaits Prosecution of New Batch of Bouteflika Era Ministers

Part of the demonstrations demanding the trial of Bouteflika regime officials in the center of Algiers (AFP)
Part of the demonstrations demanding the trial of Bouteflika regime officials in the center of Algiers (AFP)

Political corridors in Algeria are living in anticipation of a new group of senior officials from the former President Abdulaziz Bouteflika era being brought before justice after the conclusion of graft and corruption investigations.

Two ex-prime ministers, several former ministers, and business tycoons have been brought under the scope for misconduct in vital sectors of the North African state’s economy.

Some were jailed in 2019 after the judiciary convicted them of first-degree crimes, while others are still awaiting trial.

“A new group of former officials in government agencies will soon be summoned before investigative judges of the Supreme Court (the highest body in the civil judiciary),” a well-informed judiciary source, who requested anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Others will be summoned to the courts of the first instance to respond to suspicions of corruption, mismanagement, and squandering of public money,” they added.

“Most of them were named during the interrogation of former officials, who were convicted by the judiciary in the past two years to prison,” the source added.

Last Thursday, the judiciary placed former Finance Minister Arezki Berraki in pretrial detention.

He was placed in custody based on charges of mismanaging water dams.

Taher Khawa, who served as the Minister of Relations with Parliament, was also imprisoned for forging official documents.

The most famous officials from the Bouteflika regime sentenced by the judiciary include former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, Abdelmalek Sellal, Said Barakat, and Jamal Ould Abbas.

They were each given imprisonment sentences varying between 10 to 15 years. Some were also put on death row.

All judicial observers of the prosecution and investigative judges stated that the suspects claimed having implemented President Bouteflika’s decisions and policies, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

They were quoted as saying that rejecting the president’s decisions in managing mega deals and projects would have led to their dismissal and prosecution, the source added.



Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
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Grundberg Concludes Visit to Sanaa, Urges Houthis to Deescalate Tensions, Release Detainees

Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)
Grundberg arrives at Sanaa airport, Yemen (AFP)

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged on Thursday Houthi leaders to reduce national and regional escalation and release the detained UN staff and other humanitarian personnel.
The envoy stressed his determination to safeguard the progress made to date on the peace roadmap, which has been frozen since Houthis have stepped up their attacks against shipping routes in the Red Sea corridor.
Grundberg’s comments came on Thursday as he concluded a visit to Sanaa, his first to the Yemeni capital since May 2023.
The visit comes amid hopes that his efforts would prepare the ground for concrete actions for advancing the peace process in the country.
In a statement, Grundberg said he held discussions with senior political and military officials to renew engagement on the political process, focusing on addressing challenges and exploring possibilities for advancing peace within the region’s complex context.
During his meetings with Houthi leaders, the special envoy stressed the importance of national and regional de-escalation to foster an environment conducive to dialogue.
He urged the need for concrete actions to pave the way forward for a political process to achieve sustainable peace and stability across Yemen.
Grundberg’s discussions also highlighted the importance of taking steps to address economic challenges and improve living conditions, while simultaneously advancing preparations for a ceasefire – critical components of the road map and reaching a political resolution that meets the aspirations of Yemenis.
“I am determined to safeguard the progress made to date on the roadmap and keep focus on the prospects for peace in Yemen,” Grundberg noted.
Discussions on the conflict-related detainees file built on the progress made during negotiations held in Oman in July 2024.
The envoy emphasized that the file is vital for confidence building between the parties and advancing previous commitments.
He then underscored the importance of prioritizing this humanitarian issue as a step toward fostering trust that can help enable broader agreements and signal commitment to the peace process.
Protection of Civil Society
The Special Envoy started his visit to Sanaa at the home of the family of his colleague who has been arbitrarily detained by Houthis since June 2024.
He expressed his deepest compassion for what they have been enduring during this difficult period and offered his support, a statement by his office said.
Grundberg then updated the family on the UN efforts to secure the release of all arbitrarily detained personnel.
He also expressed solidarity with the families of the other detainees, acknowledging their shared anguish and the urgent need for their loved ones' release.
In all his discussions, the envoy strongly urged Houthis to release immediately and unconditionally the detained personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions.
Grundberg then echoed the Secretary General’s message that the arbitrary detentions are unacceptable and constitute a violation of international law.
“We must protect the role of civil society and humanitarian personnel. They make vital contributions to peace and rebuilding Yemen,” stated the Special Envoy.
Grundberg arrived in Yemen after holding talks with Omani officials in Muscat. Present at the talks was Houthi spokesman and chief negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam.
The envoy is hoping to make a breakthrough in the Yemeni crisis after his efforts stalled with the Houthis launching their attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.
The Visit’s Agenda
Grundberg, a Swedish diplomat, is in Sanaa as part of his efforts to push the Houthis to take concrete actions for advancing the peace process.
He will also be pushing for the release of the arbitrarily detained UN personnel and also from other NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions.
The envoy said he plans to conduct a series of national and regional meetings in the coming days under his mediation efforts.