Algerian president’s son acquitted in high-profile corruption case

The son of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been acquitted in a high-profile corruption case in which a prominent businessman was sentenced to prison, the national radio reported Thursday.

Khaled Tebboune had been in pre-trial detention since June 2018 in connection with alleged influence-peddling involving several senior officials, exposed after a cocaine seizure at an Algerian port.

An Algiers court acquitted him late Wednesday, while the principal accused, Kamel Chikhi, was sentenced to eight years in prison for “paying bribes in exchange for undue services”, in a case relating to construction permits and administrative authorisations.

The prosecutor had called for a two-year prison sentence for Khaled Tebboune, whose father did not have any official role at the time of his arrest.

Chikhi, known as “El Bouchi” (The Butcher), made his fortune in meat imports before becoming involved in property.

He was arrested in June 2018 after the seizure of 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of cocaine, found hidden in imported meat.

The investigation exposed a network of influence, with accusations that Chikhi, using cash and property, bought favours from high-level officials, magistrates and others within the regime of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Chikhi was sentenced to 10 years in prison last July on separate bribery charges.

A former mayor and the son of a former prefect were also sentenced Wednesday to six and four years in prison respectively. While prime minister in 2017, Tebboune had launched an attack on oligarchs close to the state who were awarded huge public contracts.

He was sacked just three months after taking office but went on to win the country’s presidential election last December.

During his presidential campaign, Tebboune said the incarceration of his son sought to “punish” him for his 2017 attack.

Algerians took to the streets over a year ago to demonstrate against ailing Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term.

The alleged links between Chikhi and Khaled Tebboune earned Abdelmadjid Tebboune the nickname “cocaine president” within the protest movement, which marked its one-year anniversary on February 22.

Bouteflika resigned in April last year after losing the support of the then-army chief in the face of enormous weekly demonstrations.