Algerian judiciary has been facing popular and political pressure to try former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in major corruption cases that were the reason behind jailing a number of his former senior aides.
Former Premier Abdelmalek Sellal, who has been on trial in the Capital Court of Appeal since Sunday, confirmed that “no power exceeded Bouteflika’s during his rule.”
“Neither the parliament nor the judiciary had powers back then,” he stressed.
Sellal’s statements have made protesters wonder why Bouteflika still hasn’t been tried or interrogated although charges that led to jailing two former premiers during his rule were due to their implementation of policies and plans set by him.
According to a judge at the Justice Ministry’s Judicial Research Center, the former president will most likely be given a written interrogation.
The public prosecution, which receives orders from the justice minister, will most likely take into consideration Bouteflika's health condition and send him written questions to be answered by his lawyer, the judge told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He indicated that the pressure exerted by the popular movement, which wants Bouteflika to be tried, and the politicians’ demands would encourage the judiciary to summon the former president.
The judge said no reason prevents trying Bouteflika despite his illness.
Abdelaziz Rahabi, the former minister and diplomat, was the first to openly speak about Bouteflika’s trial issue.
Last week, Rahabi said in a television interview that Bouteflika’s trial is required “even if symbolically.”
He pointed out that jailing and pursuing many of those who were working directly under Bouteflika’s orders and implementing his policies necessitate holding the former president accountable for corruption cases.
