32 policemen arrested for 35 missing firearms

Research and investigation group of Tlemcen province opened an investigation in the disappearance of a service weapon of one of its employees last Wednesday. He was arrested pending for investigation while a state of alert and inspection was declared to bring back this weapon.

•  Security authorities belive that it might be used by smugglers or terrorists activating under the banner of “Alamir Belbachir.” On the other hand, they are waiting for indictment room at Algiers’ court to bring a verdict on the disappearance of 31 firearms at Algiers’ security department due to be issued on June 24th.
• Police continue to investigate this case of one of its employees in Temouchent province as well as the disappearance of two Kalashnikovs at Annaba’s security separtment (east of Algiers).
• Tlemcen’s security department declared a state of alert and began research process, according to local sources.
•  Security agents are deployed in different streets and districts of the town as an “unusual” way, said the same sources.
• The deployment has coincided with the presence of checkpoints and inspections particularly via the key points which have enabled security forces to encircle most suspected groupings of smuggling firearms. This comes in light of fears of exploiting them by smuggling networks on borders or by criminal gangs in robbery and armed attacks.
• Observers fear repetition of the capital’s scenario after an employee arm was seized. This man is still in service with terrorists especially as terrorist group affiliated to “ Al-Daawa Salafia protectors” activating in Tlemcen province( west of Algeria) under the leadership of “ Belbachire.”  It includes 16 members complaining of lack of rotation and ammunition.
• Corroborating sources confirmed that the drug smuggler who was arrested by the Gendarmerie forces in a checkpoint where they seized an automatic gun did not match the missing one.
• Security department in Annaba arrested 21 persons. Three of them are in temporary jail.
• In a related statement, Echorouk had learnt from corroborating sources that the accusation chamber at the Algiers court will finish up with the case of about 31 firearms on June 24. The arms were lost in various security stores of Algiers.
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