In Algeria, the series of arrests and investigations involving business circles continues. This time, it is the former Energy Minister, Chakib Khelil, who is implicated. Algerian justice is reopening an investigation, closed in 2016, into a vast corruption scandal linked to the national company Sonatrach.

This time, it is not a business chief, but a former minister, a major figure of the Bouteflika regime, who is in the sights of Algerian justice. Chakib Khelil served for ten years, between November 1999 and May 2010, as Energy Minister. He was forced to resign following accusations of financial misconduct linked to the national gas giant, Sonatrach.

Chakib Khelil was accused of having received commissions from several foreign companies and notably from a subsidiary of the Italian ENI, in exchange for granting contracts in Algeria. The investigation had lasted four years, mobilized the intelligence services of several countries and even the CIA. In 2013, an international arrest warrant was issued against the former minister, who had taken refuge in the United States. In 2016, Chakib Khelil was finally able to return to Algeria, following a surprising dismissal of charges.

Vast purge

Now, three years later, the Algerian Supreme Court is therefore reopening the investigation. The Court indicated it was interested in suspicious financial movements "to and from Algeria", and "Sonatrach contracts with two foreign companies". Without further details.

This investigation is being reopened in the context of a vast purge initiated in business circles since the resignation of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, at the beginning of the month. This comes also the day after the removal of the Sonatrach chief, Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, reputed to be close to Chakib Khelil, but who was not in office at the time when the latter was minister.