Former Algeria minister detained on graft charges in crackdown on Bouteflika remnants

The ex-minister is being accused of several instances of misconduct during her 12 years in office between 2002 and 2014 under Bouteflika’s presidency.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

05 November, 2019

Khalida Toumi has been put under custody by Algeria’s supreme court on Monday. [Getty]

Algeria's former Culture Minister Khalida Toumi was put into custody by Algeria's Supreme Court on Monday, the 12th former minister to be detained since ex-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned in April following widespread protests.

The ex-minister is now being accused of several cases of misconduct during her 12 years in office between 2002 and 2014 during Bouteflika's presidency.

Her provisional detention follows a hearing where Toumi testified before the Supreme Court regarding her alleged misuses of public funds, awarding illegal privileges, and abusing her position.

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Mass protests are demanding the cancellation of the presidential elections due to take place in mid-December.

They say that the remnants of Bouteflika's regime must be removed to facilitate the country's democratic transition before any vote takes place.

Demonstrators point to the military as the biggest barrier to Algeria's democratic transition.

While the authorities have put several high-ranking figures from Bouteflika's regime in jail on corruption charges, they have rejected demands for further reform.