Algeria: Corruption investigations extend to former police chief and current minister

Algeria's finance minister and former head of national security (police chief) appeared before the court on Monday, joining a list of authority figures facing judicial inquiries since the popular protests forced President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down this month in response to demands from the popular movement.

Algerian media reported that police chief Abdelghani Hamel had appeared before the investigative judge in the state of Tipaza on charges of corruption.

The Algerian judiciary summoned Hamel last night on charges of illegal activities, the use of influence, looting of property and abuse of the job.

According to Reuters, Hamel represented his son as part of an investigation into "illegal activities", exploitation of influence, seizure of land and abuse of office.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned last year for unspecified reasons.

Charges and investigations
On the Minister of Finance, the national television reported in a news channel that Mohammed Lukal "is currently in front of the Undersecretary of the Republic of the Court of Sidi Mohamed" in the capital, adding that "the subject faces charges related to issues of waste of public money."

There was no comment from either of the men or their defense team. According to the Algerian judicial system, judges can access the ongoing investigations and determine whether the charges against suspects require their detention or release until investigations are completed.

Since the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika after being forced by an unprecedented protest movement, the Algerian judiciary has opened a series of investigations into corruption cases against influential businessmen and senior state officials.

Since the start of the protest movement on February 22, the demonstrators, who are still demanding the departure of the ruling regime, have denounced the suspicious relations between Bouteflika's presidency and a group of local businessmen who have pooled their wealth thanks to huge public contracts.