The trial of Abdelghani Hamel, the former Director-General of National Security (DGSN), was scheduled to take place at the Sidi M'Hamed court in Algiers on Tuesday but has been postponed to March 11. Hamel, a major general, has been in pre-trial detention since July 5, 2019. He is facing charges of "land diversion" and "illicit enrichment" along with his two sons, who are also in detention, his daughter, and his wife, who have been placed under judicial supervision.
Eight high-ranking state officials, including two former governors of Oran and one former governor of Chlef, are also implicated in the same case and are being held at El Harrach prison. The case involves allegations of land diversion, particularly in the Oran province, where Hamel's brother and former head of security are also reportedly involved. According to sources, Hamel and his family members were granted 800 land plots under questionable circumstances.
The trial also heard testimony from several prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, former governors of Chlef and Oran, Mohamed Ghazi and Abdelmalek Boudiaf, and former Minister of Public Works, Abdelghani Zaâlane. Hamel faces additional charges in two other cases, one related to "illegal activities and influence peddling" and another concerning "701 kg of cocaine."
In a separate case, Anis Rahmani, the head of Ennahar media group, was arrested and detained at Koléa prison last Wednesday. He was presented before an investigating judge at the Bir Mourad Raïs court on Tuesday, facing charges of "diffusing a recording of a secret services officer," "invasion of privacy," and "insulting a constituted body." Rahmani also faces potential charges of "corruption," "illicit transfer of currency abroad," and "illicit enrichment."
Rahmani's arrest and charges are related to his alleged involvement in several scandals, including the broadcasting of a recording that implicated a high-ranking security official. His detention and impending trial have sparked significant attention in Algerian media and politics.
The postponement of Hamel's trial to March 11 allows for further investigation and preparation by the prosecution and defense teams. The case against Hamel and his co-defendants is one of several high-profile corruption cases that have been pursued by Algerian authorities in recent years.
The Algerian justice system has been working to address widespread corruption and accountability issues, with several high-ranking officials and business leaders facing trial or detention. The cases against Hamel and Rahmani demonstrate the government's efforts to tackle corruption and ensure accountability among those in positions of power.
Key points
- The trial of former Algerian police chief Abdelghani Hamel has been postponed to March 11.
- Hamel faces charges of "land diversion" and "illicit enrichment."
- Anis Rahmani, head of Ennahar media group, has been detained and charged in a separate case.
