Algeria: Sonatrach officials prosecuted over 20-year-deals
Investigations in Sonatrach 2 case touched a number of accused involved in Sonatrach 1 case related to deals signed by the oil company for more than 20 years, Echorouk has learnt.
An examining judge at a court in Algiers accused deputy CEO of Sonatrach in charge of commercial activities who had been put under judicial surveillance following Sonatrach 1 case. He was jailed pending for investigation on April 6th for being involved in Sonatrach 2 case related to suspicious deals signed with Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin and Italy’s Saipem.
Hearings witnesses and accused in Sonatrach 2 case started early in April. Algerian examining judges went to Italy to check investigations results. Representatives of some foreign companies operating in Algeria including SNC-Lavalin were heard as well.
The Canadian firm won suspicious deals from Sonatrach with the help of Farid Bedjaoui who played mediation role and former energy minister Chakib Khelil.
Investigators also questioned director of a research department which won a rehabilitation deal of Sonatrach’s headquarters in Algiers. She was prosecuted in Sonatrach 1 case for being involved in illegal deals and has been under judicial surveillance since 2010. She was jailed pending for investigation on April 6th.