13 Algerians on UN Counter-terrorism Committee wanted list

United Nations Counter-terrorism Committee included the leader of the so-called Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Abdelmalek Droudkel in the list of wanted for trial.

• According to a recent UN report, a total of 13 Algerians were mentioned in the wanted list for trial including Droudkel alias Abu Musab Abdelouadoud for having links with Al-Qaeda led by Oussama Ben Laden.
• In 2007, the UN Counter-terrorism Committee included the former leader of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) Nabil Sahraoui in the wanted list for trial before he was killed in Bejaia province (east of Algiers).
• Abdelmalek Droudkel who used to be responsible for bombs making workshop was one of the important assistants of Nabil Sahraoui.
• El Para who was behind the abduction of German tourists in the Algerian desert in 2003 has been raked third since October 2004. He has many names including Abu Heidara, El Aourassi and Abderrezak Zaamiche or Abderrezak Amman Abu Heidara.
• Mokhtar Belmokhtar alias Khaled Abu Abbas, Nouar or Belaouer, a GSPC senior leader in the desert is ranked fourth.
• The list also includes Algerians belonging to sleeping cells abroad including Youcef Abbas, Hassan Alane.
• The UN committee mentioned El Hadi Ben Debka alias Abdelhadi or Hadi who lives in Italy. He is sentenced to 8 years prison and considered as one of the most wanted by the United Nations due to his serious acts.
• Kamel Djermane who was arrested in 2004 in Libya and deported to Algeria is also mentioned in the list.
• Dehou Laayeche, 44, Djamel Lounici and Djamel Mustapha are also wanted by the UN Counter-terrorism Committee.
• The list contains the name of Ahmed Zerfaoui, a GSPC member who was said to be killed in northern Mali in 2006 but investigations showed that he is still carrying out terror acts.
• The investigation concluded that the Group Protectors of Salafist Preaching which include 50 members led by Salim Afghani as well as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb with 700 members headed by Abdelmalek Droudkel represent a real danger and are among the most dangerous terrorist organisations at present.