Algeria to question ex-premier on corruption

By Hassan Jebrel

ALGIERS (AA) – Algerian authorities have summoned former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and current Finance Minister Mohamed Loukal for questioning on corruption allegations, according to the official television on Monday.

The two have received an official notice to appear before the state prosecutor as part of investigation into corruption allegations, the television said.

The pair will be questioned over "dissipation of public money" and "illegal privilege," it said, without giving further details.

On Monday, the authorities detained four business tycoons close to recently-resigned President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, along with Algerian billionaire Issad Rebrab, on corruption charges.

The latest spate of arrests came only days after Ahmed Gaid Saleh, Algeria’s military chief-of-staff, pledged to crack down on government corruption.

Last Friday, Algerians demonstrated in Algiers -- for the ninth week in a row -- to demand investigations into all Bouteflika-era corruption cases.

The 82-year-old Bouteflika stepped down early this following weeks of popular protests against his rule.