Sonatrach scandal: most of the suspects acquitted

A criminal court in Algiers delivered sentences for suspects involved in the Sonatrach 1 case. Most of them were acquitted while arrested suspects were sentenced to 5 or 6 years in prison. They would be released as they spent all that time in temporary prison. Sonatrach’s former CEO Mohamed Meziane was sentenced to five year in prison suspended.

Confusion before 2 p.m.

Before the sentence was delivered, the atmosphere in the court was marked by fear and anxiety. At 1 p.m, the room was crowded and people did not find where to sit. Local and even media were present along with suspects’ families, witnesses and lawyers.

Suspects involved in protection deal are sentenced for money laundering

Judge Mohamed Rekkad charged Mohamed Meziane with public money squandering and money laundering. Djaafar Al Ismail was accused of benefiting from undeserved advantages including an apartment in Paris and 10,000 euros.

The court delivers the sentences after six days of deliberations

The sentences came after around six days of deliberations about the case which drew the attention of local and international public opinion. The trial lasted from December 27^th 2015 to January 27^th 2016. Attorney General asked for a 15-year-sententce for Reda Djaafar Ismail and Meziane’s son who worked as an advisor at Italy’s Saipem company.

He also asked for a 7-year-sentence for accused Belkacem Boumediene, Sonatrach’s deputy CEO, Meziane Bachir Fawzi, a computer executive at Sonatrach.

The mystery key is still with Chakib Khalil

The trial revealed many mysterious remarks which did not unveil the reality of corruption and what exactly happened at the largest oil company in Algeria. The mystery key remains with former energy minister Chakib Khalil as he is the only one who can reveal what really happened. All the accused people said deals were concluded upon request from the minister. Because of that, lawyers believe that prosecuting Sonatrach’s executives was not fair.

The sentences were as follows:

Mohamed Reda Djaafar Al Ismail, 6 years in prison and a 1 million DZ fine.

Belkacem Boumediene, Sonatrach’s deputy CEO, 5 years in prison and a 500,000 DZ fine.

Mohamed Reda Meziane, Saipem’s consultant, 6 years in prison and a 1 million DZ fine.

Bachir Fawzi Meziane, a shareholder, 5 years in prison and a 1 million DZ fine.

Znassi Ben Omar, a senior manager at Sonatrach, acquittal.

Hachemi Meghaoui, CPA’s former CEO, 5 years in prison and a 1 million DZ fine.

Yazid Lyes Meghaoui, a shareholder, 5 years in prison and a 1 million DZ fine.

Mustapha Hassani, production director at Sonatrach, acquittal.

Mustapha Cheikh, exploration director at Sonatrach, acquittal.

Mohamed Meziane, Sonatrach’s CEO, 5 years in prison suspended and a 1 million DZ fine.

Mohamed Rehal Chawki, a senior manager at Sonatrach, acquittal.

Abdelaziz Abdelouahab, a central director at Sonatrach, acquittal.

Mouloud Ait Hocine, an architect at Sonatrach, acquittal.

Mohamed Senhadji, a senior manager at Sonatrach, acquittal.

Nouria Meliani, a studies office manager, 18 months in prison suspended and a 100,000 DZ fine.