An Algiers Court kicked off on Monday the trial of prominent Hirak activist, Samir Belarbi, who was arrested on September 16 on charges of “weakening the morale of the army”.
A number of activists gathered in front of First Instance Court of Bir Mourad Rais in the capital, demanding his release. The public prosecutor had called for a three-year prison sentence against him.
Belarbi is a member of Movement for National Reform.
The judiciary rejected several times the defense’s request for his temporary release, which was interpreted as a sign of the authorities’ suppression of detained protest activists.
Last month, authorities released Lakhdar Bouregga, 86, who was arrested on the same charges as Belarbi. He was freed for health reasons.
In other news, members of the National People's Assembly told Asharq Al-Awsat that parliament’s legal committee had given former Minister of Public Works, Abdelkader Ouali, a ten-day deadline to announce his voluntary waiver of immunity ahead of his trial in corruption cases.
Ouali is an MP of National Liberation Front (NLF).
Judicial sources stated that the case is also related to projects and deals that imprisoned businessmen have benefited from.
If he refuses to waive immunity, the case will be submitted to a plenary session for voting. Ouali hopes to persuade a majority of lawmakers to reject the Ministry of Justice's request, which is difficult but not impossible.
Last October, another MP and businessman Ismail Binhammadi chose the same method and was able to avoid prison when the majority of deputies voted against a similar request by the Ministry.
