By Ebi Kesiena
Three former Algerian presidential candidates have been sentenced to 10 years in prison each on corruption charges, marking a major development in the country’s efforts to clamp down on political malpractice.
The convicted individuals, former minister Belkacem Sahli, businesswoman Saïda Neghza, and pharmaceutical executive Abdelhakim Hamadi, were also fined 1 million dinars (approximately €6,700) by the court. All three had sought to run in the September 2024 presidential election but were disqualified by the constitutional court over allegations of buying endorsements from elected officials.
The case, which has rocked Algeria’s political landscape, stems from an investigation that uncovered a broader vote-buying scheme.
In August 2024, prosecutors revealed that 50 elected officials had confessed to accepting bribes to sponsor the three candidates’ electoral bids. The findings led to the dismissal of their candidacies and a wider probe that ultimately resulted in convictions for around 70 individuals.
Also, Saïda Neghza’s three sons were equally sentenced to between 5 and 8 years in prison for their roles in aiding and abetting the corruption, and for laundering money linked to the scheme.
Despite the guilty verdicts, Sahli, Neghza, and Hamadi walked out of court free and have 10 days to appeal their sentences.
Meanwhile, incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune won the 2024 presidential election with little opposition after the disqualifications. The case has fueled public scrutiny of electoral transparency and further highlighted the entrenched issues of corruption in Algerian politics.
