The Algerian penal chamber near the Court of Algiers has resumed the trial of cases related to car assembly and alleged occult financing of the 2019 presidential campaign. Several accused individuals, including businessmen and government officials, were heard in a video conference from Chlef prison. The trial involves numerous high-profile figures, including former Prime Ministers and ministers.
Fares Sellal, son of former Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, denied all charges against him, including conflict of interest with his father's position. However, he admitted to being a shareholder in a company that commercialized the Mazda car brand between 2014 and 2016. Sellal's father was Prime Minister during that period. Two other accused individuals, Mazouz Ahmed and Mohamed Bairi, are also implicated in the case.
Businessman Larbaoui Hassen, who was also heard during the trial, denied all charges against him. He claimed that he obtained the license for assembling the Korean car brand KIA "legally." Hassen also denied any partnership with former Industry Minister Abdeslam Bouchouareb, who is currently in hiding. Former Industry Minister Youcef Yousfi testified that he found no links between Hassen and Bouchouareb.
Hassen Larbaoui refuted allegations that he contributed 20 billion centimes, vehicles, and other equipment to the presidential campaign of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Another accused individual, Ali Haddad, former head of the Forum of Business Leaders (FCE), denied being contacted to collect funds for Bouteflika's campaign. Haddad claimed that Bouteflika's brother, Saïd, asked him to provide a trusted accountant to work in the campaign headquarters.
During a confrontation between Ali Haddad and Abdelmalek Sellal, the latter stated that the campaign headquarters were "civil" and not affiliated with any political party. Sellal also claimed that no financial transactions were recorded during his tenure as campaign director. Former campaign director Abdelghani Zaâlane testified that he had no knowledge of the campaign's funds.
Other accused individuals, including Malek Hadj Saïd and Aourane Ahmed, were also heard during the trial. The case involves numerous high-profile figures, including former Prime Ministers Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal, and former ministers Youcef Yousfi, Mahdjoub Bedda, and Abdeslam Bouchouareb. The trial was reprogrammed after the Supreme Court accepted a cassation appeal introduced by the defense.
The trial is ongoing, with several accused individuals yet to be heard. The cases involve allegations of corruption, conflict of interest, and occult financing of the 2019 presidential campaign. The verdict is expected to have significant implications for Algerian politics and business.
Key points
- The trial involves high-profile figures, including former Prime Ministers and ministers.
- The cases involve allegations of corruption, conflict of interest, and occult financing of the 2019 presidential campaign.
- The trial was reprogrammed after the Supreme Court accepted a cassation appeal introduced by the defense.
