Algeria jails 2 Bouteflika-era premiers ahead of polls

By Abdulrazzak Abdullah

ALGIERS (AA) – An Algerian court jailed two former prime ministers for corruption on Tuesday, two days before polls to elect a new president.

Ahmed Ouyahia, who served four times as prime minister under former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and Abdelmalek Sellal, who served twice, to 12 years.

Prosecutors accused the two former premiers of misappropriation of public funds, abuse of power and granting undue privileges, accusations denied by the two former officials.

The court also slapped former Industry Minister Abdeslam Bouchouareb with a 20-year jail term and issued an arrest warrant for him.

Former Industry Ministers Youcef Yousfi and Mahdjoub Bedda were also sentenced to 10 years in prison each, while former Transportation Minister Abdelghani Zaalane was acquitted of corruption charges.

The court also jailed former Tourism Minister Yamina Zerhouni for five years and Fares Sellal, the son of the former premier, for three years on similar charges.

Algerians will vote on Dec. 12 to elect a successor of Bouteflika, who resigned in April after months of popular protests against his 20-year rule.

Five candidates are vying in the presidential ballot, including former prime ministers, Abdelmajid Tebboune and Ali Benflis.

Protesters reject Thursday's election, citing that the five candidates running for the presidential post have been involved with Bouteflika's regime.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara