The Algerian Gendarmerie in Tizi Ouzou reported 1,938 criminal cases in 2019, with 1,380 people arrested, including 104 who were imprisoned. The cases covered various areas, including judicial police, road safety, and public security. The Gendarmerie also dismantled 25 networks, including an international drug trafficking network, and seized first-category firearms. The information was shared during a press conference held by Commander Mokrane Zouaoui at the regional headquarters of the institution.
In the area of judicial police, the Gendarmerie handled 2,599 cases, leading to the arrest of 1,380 individuals. The cases included crimes against persons and property, with 45.48% of the cases targeting individuals and 30.39% targeting property. The Gendarmerie also recorded 1,276 offenses, including 44% related to the illicit commercialization of alcohol and tobacco, and 27% related to environmental and animal health offenses.
The Gendarmerie emphasized its commitment to road safety, with 21,752 infractions recorded in 2019, resulting in a 25.13% decrease in accidents compared to 2018. However, 101 accidents still occurred, causing 32 deaths and 121 injuries. The primary cause of the accidents was attributed to human error, with 94% of cases. The Gendarmerie also highlighted its efforts to raise awareness and prevent accidents through various operations.
Commander Zouaoui also addressed the case of Nihal, a young girl whose disappearance garnered significant attention. He stated that the case was currently in the hands of the investigating judge and that all relevant information had been transferred to the judicial authorities. The Gendarmerie urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading unverified rumors.
In addition to its crime-fighting efforts, the Gendarmerie has been working to recover and return confiscated firearms to their rightful owners. An operation aimed at returning over 3,000 hunting rifles to their owners has seen significant progress, with 93% of the rifles already returned. Only 88 rifles remain to be returned, primarily due to issues related to the "fredha" process.
The Gendarmerie has also been actively engaging with the public, receiving 20,524 calls on its green line (1055) in 2019, including 1,012 nighttime calls. The institution has been working to build trust with the community, with Commander Zouaoui emphasizing the importance of communication and cooperation between the Gendarmerie and the public.
The press conference also touched on other issues, including corruption, with Commander Zouaoui stating that while there were no major corruption cases in Tizi Ouzou, the Gendarmerie remained vigilant and treated all cases with thoroughness and in accordance with Algerian law. The institution continues to work towards maintaining public safety and security in the region.
Key points
- 1,938 criminal cases were handled by the Algerian Gendarmerie in Tizi Ouzou in 2019.
- The Gendarmerie dismantled 25 networks, including an international drug trafficking network.
- Over 3,000 hunting rifles are being returned to their owners as part of an ongoing operation.
