The appeal trial of businessman Mahieddine Tahkout, accused of corruption, continued on Monday with testimony from former ministers Abdelghani Zaalane and Amar Ghoul. Zaalane denied any involvement in a contract between Tahkout's company and the Oran urban and suburban transport company (ETO), stating he had only given approval as wali of Oran to find practical solutions for new residents.
Zaalane clarified that ETO had issued a call for tender in coordination with the public market commission, and Tahkout's company had not received preferential treatment. Ghoul, on the other hand, denied granting Tahkout a port concession contract and a plot of land within Skikda Port, saying Tahkout's activities took place outside the port.
The trial judge continued hearing testimony from defendants acquitted in the first instance and now appealing. Other defendants will be heard on Tuesday. The Sidi M'hamed court had initially sentenced Tahkout to 16 years in prison and an 8 million DA fine. His brothers, Rachid, Hamid, and Billal Tahkout, received 7-year prison sentences and the same fine.
Nacer Tahkout was sentenced to 3 years in prison and an 8 million DA fine. The court also ordered the freezing of all Tahkout company accounts, confiscation of equipment, and a 5-year ban from public markets. Former Prime Ministers Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal were each sentenced to 10 years in prison and a 500,000 DA fine.
The court had also sentenced former Industry Minister Abdeslam Bouchouareb, who is in hiding, to 20 years in prison and a 2 million DA fine. Youcef Yousfi, former Industry Minister, and Faouzi Belhocine, former Skikda wali, received 2-year prison sentences. Ammar Ghoul, former Public Works Minister, was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
The court ordered payment of 309 billion DA in damages and interest. The trial continues with further testimony from defendants. Tahkout's case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile individuals involved and the severity of the sentences handed down.
The appeal trial will determine if the sentences will be upheld or modified. Defendants and their lawyers are presenting their cases, and the court will consider their arguments before making a final decision. The outcome will have implications for those involved and potentially for future corruption cases in Algeria.
Key points
- Former ministers Abdelghani Zaalane and Amar Ghoul testified in the appeal trial of Mahieddine Tahkout.
- The court heard denials of wrongdoing from Zaalane and Ghoul regarding their involvement with Tahkout's company.
- The trial continues with further testimony from defendants and will determine if initial sentences will be upheld or modified.
