Algeria: Former Minister sentenced to 7 years in prison for corruption

Former Algerian Finance Minister Mohamed Loukal was sentenced on Thursday to seven years in prison for corruption.

The financial and economic criminal division of the Court of Sidi M’hamed (Algiers) prosecuted Loukal for his involvement in corruption cases, under his position as former director general of the External Bank of Algeria (BEA), local media reported.

Several charges have been landed at Loukal, including abuse of power, misappropriation of public funds and granting of undue benefits. The wide-ranging investigations into corruption and nepotism launched after the April 2019 resignation of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, under pressure from an unprecedented popular “Hirak” protest movement, have led to a series of trials that are still ongoing.

Several personalities and former politicians, as well as powerful bosses, senior civil servants and army officers, are being prosecuted, among other things, for corruption and illicit enrichment.