Algerian courts initiated legal proceedings against businessman Ali Haddad, who gained notoriety both as a former regime stalwart and one of the country's top construction moguls. His sentencing, however, was adjourned to June 17.
Haddad is facing up to 18 months in jail.
During interrogation, Haddad revealed details exposing ex-prime minister Abdelmalek Sellal for violating the law. Alongside a group of former regime keynote officials, Sellal and Haddad are being tried for corruption.
Haddad, who is getting immense media coverage, was one of the closest businessmen to ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Among the charges pressed against Haddad, is the unlawful possession of two different Algerian passports. He was arrested last March at a border crossing with neighboring Tunisia, to where he was trying to escape.
When arrested, Haddad was found with an astronomical amount of cash in euros.
Despite the chase and arrest being reported by local media, Haddad denies that he was planning to flee the country, and says he was merely off to a recreational vacation in the neighboring African state.
Haddad headed a group of business magnates that acted as the financial arm of Bouteflika’s regime for 20 years. He helped secure for the group major concessions, mega projects and soft loans from banks.
Profiteering from power, Haddad is one of several ministers who are being brought to justice at the country’s Supreme Court, which is charged with prosecuting senior officials.
Haddad, according to sources at the judiciary, owns some of Algeria’s largest contracting companies and has investments in many sectors.
Although a strong case can be made against Haddad for exploiting public assets and services in his quest to become a billionaire, many observers suspect that the business mogul will be acquitted.
Apart from Haddad, four other businessmen have been put to jail for building an economic empire from public money and through corruption.
