Former Algerian Prime Minister Sellal Detained In Corruption Case - Reports
Muhammad Irfan Published June 13, 2019 | 09:36 PM
Algeria's Supreme Court on Thursday ruled to place former Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal in custody after he was questioned in connection with a graft case, local media reported
Sellal appeared before the Supreme Court earlier on Thursday as part of anti-corruption investigations into senior officials linked to Algeria's former longtime president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the Nahar tv channel reported. The politician is suspected of wasting public funds, abusing power and giving preferential treatment to individual businessmen.
Sellal headed the government during the last years of Bouteflika's rule. He was considered to be one of the closest politicians to the ex-Algerian leader and even ran his last three re-election campaigns.
On Wednesday, another former prime minister of Algeria, Ahmed Ouyahia, was placed in custody over similar charges.
An acute political crisis broke out in Algeria in February after Bouteflika announced he would be seeking a fifth term.
The public, discontent with the ailing president, took the streets in a wave of anti-government protests. Despite Bouteflika withdrawing his re-election bid on March 11 and postponing the vote, initially scheduled for April 18. the people demanded immediate changes and continued to protest.
Bouteflika eventually stepped down on April 2. The speaker of the country's upper house, Abdelkader Bensalah, temporarily replaced the president, as is instructed by the constitution. Earlier in June, Algeria's Constitutional Council extended Bensalah's powers due to another delay in the presidential election, which had been rescheduled to July 4.
Despite these developments, nationwide protests are still underway, with demonstrators now demanding that all politicians who got positions in Bouteflika's government resign.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From World
-
Bus plunges off S.Africa bridge killing 45: ministry
5 hours ago -
S.Africa's ex-president Zuma barred from May election
5 hours ago -
Tax the rich: slow progress on the international front
6 hours ago -
Bus plunges off S.Africa bridge killing 45: ministry
6 hours ago -
Russia sentences journalist to 2 years in prison, detains others
6 hours ago -
France asks for foreign help for Olympics security: officials
6 hours ago
-
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
7 hours ago -
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
7 hours ago -
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
7 hours ago -
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
7 hours ago -
Russia says 'evidence' links Ukraine to Moscow attack
7 hours ago -
Russian shelling kills three in Ukraine, officials say
7 hours ago