Conviction of former employees of the Ministry of Industry in a corruption case – Algerian Al-Hiwar newspaper

Today, Tuesday, the Criminal Court specialized in financial and economic corruption cases in Sidi M’hamed issued judicial rulings convicting former employees of the Ministry of Industry, against the backdrop of a corruption case related to the restoration of the Qorso boat, which cost the public treasury billions of dinars in losses.

The matter concerns everyone in charge of studies and summaries at the level of the Ministry of Industry (MA), along with the former Secretary-General of the Ministry, as they were prosecuted on charges related to abuse of office and squandering of public funds.

During the previous trial session, the follow-up was based on the statements of the witness, Jamila Tamazirt, in her capacity as director of the “Agrodev” complex, who explained that the case goes back to the privatization and partnership policy approved in 2013, and in accordance with the regulations of the shareholding council dated October 10, 2013, and based on government directives at the time, a partnership contract was activated between the public complex “Riad Algiers” and the private complex “Omar Ben Omar” with the aim of rehabilitating the Qorso boat, which has been inactive since the earthquake of the year 2003.

The witness added that this partnership was embodied in the establishment of a joint-stock company under the name “Mediterranean Cereals Company” (MMC), to which the private complex contributed 60 percent, compared to 40 percent for the public complex, represented in in-kind shares that included the complex building and its annexes.

Investigations revealed several imbalances in the management of the partnership contract, most notably the inability of the private complex to obtain an investment loan due to the absence of sufficient personal guarantees, which prevented the project from being implemented in March 2016. A request was also submitted to raise the production capabilities of the Qorso complex, especially semolina from 4,000 to 6,000 quintals per day, and flour from 4,000 to 10,000 quintals per day.

During the defendants’ appearance before the court, they were charged with intentionally abusing their position in violation of laws and regulations, in addition to a misdemeanor of wasting public funds, in accordance with the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Law.

The Public Prosecutor had previously requested penalties ranging from five to eight years in prison, with the confiscation of all seized items, before the court issued its ruling after deliberation, according to what was previously mentioned.