By Abdelrazzak abdullah
ALGIERS (AA) – Former Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia appeared before court on Tuesday to answer corruption charges, according to the state television.
Ouyahia, who leads the National Democratic Rally (RND) party, the country’s second largest parliamentary bloc, faces multiple counts of charges, including “wasting public funds ” and granting “illegal privileges “.
On Monday, Algerian Finance Minister Mohamed Loukal and former police chief retired Maj. Gen. Abdelghani Hamel appeared before court to answer similar corruption charges.
Last week, Algerian authorities detained a number of businessmen close to recently-resigned President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for interrogation over corruption charges.
Early this month, the 82-year-old Bouteflika announced his resignation following several weeks of popular protests against his continued rule.
Abdelkader Bensalah, a former speaker of parliament, is currently serving as interim president for a 90-day transitional period — overseen by the army — during which presidential elections will be held.
Demonstrators, however, have continued to call for the removal of all government officials associated with the Bouteflika regime, including Bensalah.
They are also demanding accountability for Said Bouteflika, the former president’s influential brother who had also served as his adviser.
- Writing by Mahmoud Barakat
