Sonatrach trial: Chakib Khalil asked for the names of directors who rejected deals

Judge Mohamed Rekad Sunday resumed hearing sessions of suspects involved in the Sonatrach case. He continued hearing accused Belkacem Boumediene who revealed a letter sent by Algeria’s former energy minister Chakib Khalil.

The session started at 9:30 am. The judge called the suspect.

So, there two deals with mutual agreement. The first was about the Hassi Messaoud industrial center worth 197 billion centimes. The second was about the 24 February base.

I was unable to discuss a political decision. I had to execute orders.

Could you talk about the German company and its deals?

The deals were won by seven companies and not only the German one. Sonatrach is not submitted to the public deals law. The general assembly includes ministers who approve projects. I have nothing to do with mutual agreements.

Why was the project executed so quickly?

I did not have the right to stand against Meziane. I can’t say no. You have a written letter sent by Chakib Khalil who asked for the names of directors who was against the project. I could not refused. All the commissions executed the minister’s instructions. Managers did not have any other choice.  

Did you execute instructions?

If it was not me, they would have been executed by another director.

Ismail Djaafar said Sonatrach’s executives know that Meziane Fawzi was member in the company.

In December 2009, the judicial police told you that the son of Sonatrach’s CEO is a partner in the company which won the offers.

I denied that. I contacted the legal affairs director and the chairman of the offers commission. I also called the minister to tell him about what happened.

What about the mutual agreement?

It was the minister and the CEO’s decision. It was a political and strategic decision.