Algerian billionaire Issad Rebrab, 74, is among the leaders of the economic world arrested in the context of the vast anti-corruption campaign following the political events in progress in this country, the first economy of the Maghreb in terms of GDP.
The CEO of Cevital, the largest private group in Algeria, owner of the French brands Brandt, Fagor and Oxxo, is being prosecuted for false declarations. Considered as the first fortune of the country and the ninth of Africa, the industrialist was however in bis with the Bouteflika regime in recent months.
Another personality targeted by the campaign hands, Ali Haddad, former boss of the Forum of Algerian business leaders (FCE). This close to Saïd Bouteflika, the brother of the resigning president, was arrested while trying to flee to Tunisia, in possession of two passports, two driving licenses, four phones and 410,000 dinars, 5,000 euros and 100 euros. dollars. It is also for not having declared these sums that Ali Haddad was transferred before a judge and placed in custody. He is currently incarcerated in the prison of el-Harrach, on the outskirts of Algiers.
The four brothers Kouninef indexed specifically by social networks have been arrested in connection, says the state television, a survey on the conclusion of public contracts with the state, trading in influence with public officials and embezzlement land.
In the process, former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and the current Minister of Finance Mohamed Loukal, two close associates of Bouteflika suspected of waste of public funds and abuse of power, were summoned. Dozens of personalities and businessmen are forbidden to leave the territory. The list is growing day by day.
This witch hunt with clear political goals is economically risky to instill mistrust and capital flight. Observers are obviously wondering who benefits from this operation own hand sponsored in a historic moment when the old political and economic forces are trying to retrain in the air. Algerians who demand the end of a system are served with much publicity. Not sure, however, that expeditious arrests of businessmen are the best way to end a system.
Kamal Redouane Al Andaloussi
