ALGIERS

An Algerian court on Monday ordered six years behind bars to a business tycoon with close ties to former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on forgery charges, according to state television.

Ali Haddad was convicted of illegally receiving another passport and was fined 50,000 Algerian dinars (some $450).

In late March, the businessman was arrested while attempting to leave the country via a border crossing with Tunisia.

Haddad, who had resigned earlier as head of the Business Leaders Forum (FCE), the largest business organization in Algeria, was one of the main funders of Bouteflika's electoral campaigns.

Currently, the Algerian Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating financial and economic corruption against businessmen, politicians and former officials of Boueflika’s regime.

Bouteflika, 82, stepped down early in April following several weeks of popular demonstrations against his 20-year rule.

Abdelkader Bensalah, a former speaker of parliament, is currently serving as interim president for a 90-day transitional period overseen by the army.

Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand the departure of all officials associated with the Bouteflika regime, including Bensalah.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat