Three former Algerian presidential hopefuls were each sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for corruption in connection with a scheme involving the purchase of election sponsorships.
Businesswoman Saïda Neghza, former government minister Belkacem Sahli, and Abdelhakim Hamadi, head of a veterinary pharmaceutical company, were also fined 1 million dinars (approximately €6,700). The three had planned to run in the September 2024 presidential election, but the country’s constitutional court rejected their candidacies, citing illegal financial dealings.
Authorities said the candidates paid dozens of elected officials to secure the sponsorships required to appear on the ballot. In August 2024, prosecutors announced that 50 elected representatives had admitted to accepting bribes from the candidates.
Incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ultimately won re-election with little opposition, after the disqualification of several challengers.
The case is part of a wider corruption crackdown that resulted in convictions for about 70 individuals. During the investigation, authorities uncovered what they described as a broader network of political bribery and financial misconduct.
Three sons of Neghza were also convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to eight years for aiding and abetting corruption and money laundering.
Despite their convictions, Neghza, Sahli and Hamadi were released from court and given 10 days to appeal the ruling.