Ahmed Ouyahia, who served as Algeria's prime minister, was taken into custody yesterday and detained at El-Harrach prison. This followed a nearly two-hour hearing by an investigating judge at the Supreme Court. Ouyahia's detention was ordered under a warrant, and he was transferred to the prison shortly before 5:00 PM. The hearing was part of an ongoing investigation into corruption and influence peddling.
Ouyahia, along with former Public Works Minister Abdelghani Zaalane, was summoned to the Supreme Court for questioning. Zaalane arrived at the court around 4:00 PM and was released around 7:00 PM after his hearing. Ouyahia faces eight charges, including influence peddling, corruption, and accepting bribes. These charges are related to investments and contracts awarded to businessmen Ali Haddad and Mahieddine Tahkout, who are also being held at El-Harrach prison.
The investigation into Ouyahia and others centers on allegations of favoritism and corrupt practices in awarding contracts and benefits to Haddad and Tahkout, as well as their family members. Ali Haddad and Mahieddine Tahkout, along with their two brothers and Tahkout's son Nabil, are already being held in connection with this case. A total of 12 high-ranking officials have been implicated, including two former ministers, one current minister, five former governors, and two sitting governors.
In a related development, the Algerian National Council has received a request from the judiciary to lift the parliamentary immunity of former Public Works Minister Amar Ghoul, who currently serves as a senator. The immunity of two other senators, former Solidarity Ministers Djamel Ould Abbas and Saïd Barkat, was also set to be considered. However, both Ould Abbas and Barkat have voluntarily waived their immunity, leading to the cancellation of a meeting to vote on the matter.
At the level of the People's National Assembly, a request has been made to lift the parliamentary immunity of former Transport Minister Boudjemâa Talaï. This move is part of the broader effort to hold accountable high-ranking officials implicated in corruption cases. The judiciary's actions are seen as part of a wider crackdown on corruption and graft in Algeria.
Ouyahia's detention and the charges against him and other officials highlight the ongoing challenges Algeria faces in addressing corruption and ensuring accountability among its leaders. The case against Ouyahia and others involves complex allegations of corruption, influence peddling, and abuse of power. The investigation and legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The Algerian justice system has been working to address long-standing issues of corruption and impunity. The detention of high-profile figures like Ouyahia and the pursuit of charges against other officials reflect efforts to promote transparency and accountability. The outcome of these cases will be closely watched for their implications on governance and the rule of law in Algeria.
Key points
- Former Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia detained at El-Harrach prison on charges of corruption and influence peddling.
- Investigation involves multiple high-ranking officials and businessmen, including Ali Haddad and Mahieddine Tahkout.
- Algerian judiciary seeks to lift parliamentary immunity of several former ministers and current senators in connection with corruption cases.
