Algeria: Ex-regime officials face charges over 'plot'

ALGIERS

Said Bouteflika, influential brother of former Algerian president, and several former regime officials appeared before a military court on Monday over charges, including "conspiracy".

The trial session also included former senior intelligence service officials Mohamed Mediene and Athmane Tartag as well as Louisa Hanoune, head of the country's Workers' Party, according to a local source.

In May, Bouteflika, who had also served as president's adviser, and other officials were taken into custody over charges of "undermining army's authority" and "conspiracy against the state's authority".

In mid-April, Army Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Saleh warned Mediene, former intelligence service's chief, to take tough legal action against him, on the grounds of conspiracy against the army and the popular uprising.

Also, the military chief said on Wednesday the Algerian army has discovered and foiled a plot aimed at destroying the country.

The defendants face charges that could lead to sanctions up to death sentence.

Algeria has been in turmoil since President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down on April 2 after 20 years in power, under pressure from mass protests demanding the removal of the ruling elite and the prosecution of people suspected of corruption.

On Sunday, Algeria's interim President Abdelkader Bensalah said the country will hold presidential election on Dec. 12.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat