2,000 executives flee Sonatrach because of scandal

The Sonatrach 1 trial continued on Sunday as it begins its fifth week in a criminal court in Algiers. Lawyers went back to the past to remind judges about a campaign launched against Algeria’s executives in the 1980’s. The Algerian intelligence department and the Public Prosecutor’s Office were not courageous enough to bring concerned people. They made innocent people to pay the price and stay in temporary prison for six years, lawyers said.

Judge Mohamed Rekkad gave started by giving the flour to Nouria Meliani’s lawyers. Lawyer Marwane Medjhouda asked to acquit her as she was not involved in raising prices in a deal.

Znansssi Ben Omar’s lawyer said 2,000 executives at Sonatrach asked for early retirement as the scandal was divulgated. “Algeria lost its best elements,” he told the judge.