Fatima Hamdi - Algeria
In Algiers, an international court issued a petition to arrest former defense minister Khaled Nizar on charges that experts described as heavy, punishable by death under Algerian law.
The man returned to the forefront of events again, with the opening of an official account on Twitter, corrected his harsh criticism of the Algerian army chief of staff Ahmed Kayed Saleh.
Demonstrators in the popular movement demanded in recent weeks to put Nizar in jail, holding the slogan "Still .. Khalid Nizar" ie his role will come. Activists said that the popular demand to hold the retired Major General to account for his tenure as defense minister during the so-called decade Black.
Algerians wonder whether the charges against Nizar relate to what the Swiss court previously described as war crimes against civilians in Algeria during the black decade, or to his relationship with the outgoing president's brother, Said Bouteflika.
Political asylum
In a related context, the specialist in the constitution, Nasser Boughazala, reopened the file of "250 thousand Algerian victims who were exterminated and physically liquidated during the black decade," adding to the island Net "I do not expect the International Criminal Court to miss the opportunity to hold the man accountable for his actions."
Nizar tweeted on his page in response to his arrest petition by saying "criticism of Qaid Saleh politically became read as prejudice to national security," describing the chief of staff of his country's army "stupidity."
Nizar said that the charge against him because of his political opinion, which may facilitate his request for political asylum - reportedly - while Boughazala refuted the possibility of access to Nizar and use of immunity "because he is prosecuted and was a military commander."
| Demonstrations demand accountability for all corrupt (Al Jazeera) |
Forced to return
For his part, international law expert Fawzi Odeidik talked about the agreement agreed upon between Algeria and Spain, where Nizar resides, referring to three agreements for the extradition of those wanted for justice and judicial followers, and therefore the legal ground exists for his arrest.
He added to Al Jazeera Net that the second article of the Convention specifies the persons who can be extradited.
Ousdik considered that the military court's move in this direction is a serious warning not to confuse the course, pointing out that "conspiracy against the regime is an international practice and not an Algerian heresy, as most countries include sanctions in this category, as well as the heavy past of Khalid Nizar."
Senator Abdul Wahab Zaeem said that the military court's request gives assurance that no one is above justice, whether civilian or military, so Nizar must respond to the request for justice and answer the charges against him.
A leader considered that Nizar had the right to assign lawyers to defend him and prove the contrary, denouncing what he described as fleeing, noting that Nizar's refusal to respond to justice would deepen the charges and assure the public that he is convicted.