2 Ex-Prime Ministers in Algeria Are Convicted in Corruption Case

The verdicts against Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal came days before the country holds a presidential election that protesters have called a sham.
Two former prime ministers of Algeria accused of corruption were convicted and sentenced to prison on Tuesday in a landmark trial, unleashing cheers of joy from pro-democracy activists demanding an overhaul of the gas-rich country’s political system.

The verdict came amid high political tensions, with Algeria to vote on Thursday in a disputed presidential election to replace President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was pushed out of office in April after 20 years in power.

Protesters gathered outside and inside the courthouse in Algiers to hear the verdicts against the two former prime ministers, Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal. Some shouted, “Gang of gangsters!” and many waved or wore Algerian flags. The police surrounded the courthouse.

Mr. Ouyahia was sentenced to 15 years in prison and $16,000 in fines. Mr. Sellal was sentenced to 12 years in prison and $8,000 in fines. The men, who deny wrongdoing, have 10 days to appeal.
Both men served under Mr. Bouteflika, who was forced to resign after protesters rose up, in part because of anger about corruption.

Four other former government ministers and businessmen were also convicted in the case, which focused on a car manufacturing corruption scandal that reputedly involved huge bribes, inflated invoices and suspect loans. Mr. Bouteflika’s former campaign manager was acquitted.
Unusually, the trial was televised, as the authorities sought to show the public that they were taking protesters’ concerns about corruption, transparency and accountability seriously.

The presidential election loomed over the trial. The Algerian authorities are hoping the trial will help convince the public that they are serious about carrying out reforms.

Algeria’s peaceful nine-month-old protest movement has dismissed the election as a sham because it is organized by the existing power structure.