Algerian former PM held in custody for suspected corruption: state TV

ALGIERS -- The Algerian Supreme Court on Thursday held former Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal in custody over charges of corruption, state-run ENTV reported.

The charges against Sellal include abuse of power, squandering public funds, and violation of public procurement procedures to provide unjustified advantages for businessmen, ENTV said.

Sellal is the second former high ranking government official in custody after another former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, during a wide-scale anti-corruption campaign in the North African nation since the fall of the regime of ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April.

A total of 12 former senior government officials have been summoned for trial so far.

Meanwhile, the general prosecutor at the Supreme Court requested the Algerian parliament to lift immunity of the senators Boudjemaa Talai and Amar Ghoul from prosecution.

Local media said senators and former ministers Djamel Ould Abbes and Said Berkat had renounced their immunity.

The current large-scale anti-corruption campaign in Algeria comes amid popular protests that denounce the poor governance and dirty money and demand the guilty be brought to justice.

High ranking army officers and prominent politicians, including Said Bouteflika, brother of ousted President Bouteflika, the former intelligence chiefs Mohamed Mediene and Athmane Tartag, and the general secretary of the opposition Workers' Party Louisa Hanoune, have already been put behind bars.