🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
IMETAL corruption scandal: up to 10 years in prison requested against senior officials
via Algérie3603 min read
The Algiers Court prosecutor has requested severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and confiscation of seized assets, for defendants in a corruption case involving the public mining, steel, and metallurgical industries group IMETAL and its subsidiaries. The verdict is scheduled for May 5. The prosecutor sought 10 years for the main defendant, "L.A.", CEO of the Sider group, and 8 years for "M. Mohamed Chérif", deputy general manager of administration for the El Hadjar steel complex. Other defendants, including "A. Aârab", operations director at the National Recovery and Valorization Company, and "F. Kamel", "K. Fouad", "B. Chouaïb", "B. Khaled", "B. Sadek", "O. Kamel", face sentences ranging from 5 to 8 years. A fine of 8 million Algerian dinars was also requested against the companies involved. The charges include granting undue advantages in state contracts, money laundering, abuse of office, and intentional embezzlement of public funds. Previously, on December 15, the Sidi M'hamed economic and financial criminal division had issued convictions up to 15 years, with "L.A." receiving 6 years and a 1 million dinar fine. "A. Aârab" and others received 3 years and a 500,000 dinar fine. "B. Chouaïb", owner of the "House" company, was sentenced to 5 years and a 1 million dinar fine. Lighter sentences were given to other defendants, including suspended sentences. "Belarbi Anis", CEO of the National Recovery Company, and "Chegraoui Ahmed Amine", who are fugitives, were
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Air Algérie is projected to become one of Africa's top five airlines by 2026, driven by a strengthened fleet and expanding international network. This development is highlighted in the "Africa in the Air" analysis by ATTA and OAG, positioning the Algerian carrier as a key player in the region's air-commercial growth. The African air travel market is experiencing unprecedented acceleration, with a 13.7% increase in air transport capacity expected in the first ten months of 2026, reaching 182.4 million seats. Western Europe, particularly France, the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands, fuels much of the demand for Northern, Eastern, and Southern Africa, while the Middle East is a significant contributor with 21.2 million seats scheduled for 2026. Egypt leads the continent with 30.9 million seats by October 2026, followed by South Africa with 26.8 million seats and Morocco with 22.5 million seats. Ethiopia shows a remarkable 31.2% increase, reaching 17 million seats, and Kenya rounds out the top with 10.2 million seats. Among airlines, Ethiopian Airlines leads with over 23 million seats, followed by EgyptAir and Safair with approximately 10.2 million each, Royal Air Maroc with 9.1 million, and Air Algérie with 7.3 million. Air Algérie is enhancing its fleet with ten new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with five deliveries scheduled for July 2026 and five more in 2027, as part of a strategy to establish Algiers as a major hub between Africa, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Must ReadA judicial and administrative investigation has been launched in Marsat El Hadjadj, Oran, following the demolition of the "Sidi Abdelkader" mausoleum, located within a children's cemetery. The incident, documented live on social media, has raised concerns about heritage protection and the influence of extremist groups. The widespread video of the demolition and accompanying strong comments led to a national outcry. A joint commission comprising the National Gendarmerie, the Directorate of Culture and Arts, and the Directorate of Religious Affairs of the wilaya of Oran visited the site. Investigators, accompanied by cultural experts, assessed the damage in the "Hassasna" area. According to El Khabar, the investigation extends beyond material damage to determine administrative responsibilities. The president of the Communal Popular Assembly of Marsat El Hadjadj and several local officials have been questioned to ascertain if the demolition was an official municipal decision or an isolated act without legal approval. Authorities and civil society are particularly concerned about the ideological context, as radical and takfirist groups, who label mausoleum visitors as "Quburiyyin" tomb worshippers, widely shared the demolition video and advocate for the destruction of such structures, which they deem contrary to Islamic precepts. The Directorate of Culture will determine the mausoleum's protected heritage value, while the Directorate of Religious Affairs works to ease community t
Must ReadFranco-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud was sentenced in absentia on April 21 by the Falaoucen court in Oran to three years in prison and a fine of 5 million dinars. This decision follows a complaint filed by Saâda Arbane, who accused Daoud of using her personal story as a victim of terrorism in his novel "Houris." Arbane alleges that the author exploited her medical records, which his wife, a psychiatrist, accessed through her work in neurological services in Oran. The complaint also targets Daoud's wife for disclosing professional secrets concerning one of her patients. Arbane claims the novel incorporates key elements of her life, including the extermination of her family, causing her deep trauma and violating her dignity and privacy. Kamel Daoud responded to the judgment on his personal page, stating that the decision falls under the application of laws related to national reconciliation and national tragedy. He views the conviction as an attempt to silence his work and prevent him from addressing sensitive topics related to Algeria's history. The case sparked controversy last year, particularly after Daoud received the Goncourt Prize in France for the novel. Arbane highlighted the striking similarity between her childhood experiences, marked by her family's extermination, and the plot of the book, which is central to the accusation against the author.
Must ReadThe issue of Algerians deported to New Caledonia by colonial France has resurfaced, with their descendants seeking stronger ties to their ancestral land. This renewed attention follows a report by Algerian influencer Mehdi Chettah and recent parliamentary initiatives. Abdelouahab Yagoubi, a diaspora Member of Parliament, submitted a written question to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March, highlighting the forced deportation of over 2,000 Algerians to New Caledonia, where more than 15,000 of their descendants now reside. Yagoubi criticized the lack of local consular representation, forcing these individuals to rely on services in Paris, located 16,700 kilometers away. He advocated for the recognition of their Algerian identity and requested a concrete plan to address the consular presence. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Algerian authorities' commitment to the descendants of those deported by French occupation to New Caledonia and other regions. The ministry outlined a three-pronged strategy focusing on human, historical, and institutional aspects, including integrating descendants into national commemorations and inviting them to major events like the Intra-African Trade Fair in September 2025. Regarding consular services, Ahmed Attaf announced that descendants can now access services through the Algerian embassy in Australia, eliminating the need to travel to Paris. The article details the historical context of these deportations, stemming from