The Sidi M’hamed court in Algiers on Wednesday handed down prison sentences to two former Algerian ministers for their involvement in corruption cases, local media reported.
They are Mohamed Loukal, former Governor of the Bank of Algeria and ex-Minister of Finance, and Djamel Ould Abbes, former Minister of National Solidarity and Health.
Prosecuted as the former CEO of the External Bank of Algeria for having acquired a bank seat in a “contrary to the law” manner, Mohamed Loukal was sentenced to six years in prison, accompanied by a fine of one million dinars.
In addition, a three-year prison sentence accompanied by a fine of one million dinars was pronounced against Djamel Ould Abbès, prosecuted for embezzlement, according to the same sources.
The vast investigations into corruption and nepotism launched after the resignation in April 2019 of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, under pressure from an unprecedented popular protest movement “Hirak”, have led to a series of trials that are still ongoing.
Several personalities and former political leaders, as well as powerful bosses, senior civil servants and senior army officers are tried in the context of these trials. They are prosecuted, in particular, for corruption and illicit enrichment.
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