Former Algerian industry minister urges France not to extradite him

Former Algerian industry minister, Abdeslam Bouchouareb, sentenced in absentia to a total of 100 years in prison, has appealed to French authorities to decline his extradition, citing political persecution amid a purge of the Bouteflika-era officials.

Bouchouareb, who served as industry and mines minister from April 2014 to May 2017, rose to prominence under President Bouteflika, who resigned in April 2019 following mass pro-democracy protests and died in 2021.

Bouchouareb, like other officials from Bouteflika’s administration, was convicted on corruption charges in his absence, in a settling of accounts by the ruling military-civilian duo Chengriha-Tebboune.

The Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal will decide on October 9 regarding the extradition case.

Bouchouareb, 72, has been banned from leaving France. His lawyer, Benjamin Bohbot, argues that the sentences are illegal and violate international standards, highlighting concerns over fair trial rights and potential death penalty risks.

The court has requested further information from Algerian authorities and will consider all extradition requests in a single hearing.