The Sidi M'hamed court in Algiers has sentenced former Director-General of the National Security (DGSN), Abdelghani Hamel, to 15 years in prison and a fine of 8 million Algerian dinars (DA). The verdict was delivered after a lengthy trial on charges related to corruption, including money laundering, illicit enrichment, influence peddling, and obtaining land plots through illicit means. Hamel's family members also received prison sentences and fines.
Hamel's son, Amiar, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of 6 million DA, while his son Chafik received an 8-year prison sentence and a 5-million-DA fine. Another son, Mourad, was sentenced to 7 years in prison and a 5-million-DA fine. Hamel's daughter, Chahinaz, received a 3-year prison sentence and a 5-million-DA fine. The former DGSN's wife, Annani Salima, was sentenced to 2 years in prison and a 1-million-DA fine.
The court also handed down prison sentences to several former high-ranking officials. Abdelmalek Boudiaf, the former wali of Oran, and Abdelghani Zaalane, also a former wali of Oran, were both sentenced to 3 years in prison and a 1-million-DA fine. Bensebane Zoubir, the former wali of Tlemcen, received a 3-year prison sentence. Ghellaï Moussa, the former wali of Tipaza, was sentenced to 5 years in prison and a 1-million-DA fine.
Additionally, Mohamed Rehaimia, the former director-general of the Office for the Promotion and Management of Real Estate (OPGI), was sentenced to 3 years in prison and a 500,000-DA fine. The court also imposed a fine of 32 million DA on companies owned by Hamel's family, with the confiscation of all assets and movable property.
The trial and sentencing of Hamel and his associates mark a significant development in Algeria's efforts to combat corruption. The case involves allegations of large-scale corruption and abuse of power by high-ranking officials. The verdicts demonstrate the authorities' commitment to holding those in power accountable for their actions.
The prison sentences and fines imposed on Hamel and his family members, as well as the former officials, reflect the severity of the charges and the evidence presented during the trial. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for Algeria's efforts to tackle corruption and promote transparency and accountability in government.
The court's decision to confiscate the assets and movable property of Hamel's family companies is seen as a significant measure to recover illicitly obtained wealth. The case will likely serve as a precedent for future corruption cases in Algeria, demonstrating the authorities' resolve to pursue and punish those involved in corrupt activities.
Key points
- Former DGSN Abdelghani Hamel sentenced to 15 years in prison and a fine of 8 million DA for corruption charges.
- Hamel's family members also received prison sentences and fines for their involvement in the corruption case.
- The verdicts demonstrate Algeria's efforts to combat corruption and promote accountability in government.
