Arrest Of “Penitent” terrorist Who Used His Weapon To Steal Citizens' Cars

The Court of Appeals in the Capital Algiers on Monday examined the serious case of a nefarious criminal gang consisting of eight persons, led by a “penitent” terrorist who used his weapon to steal cars and seize them under the threat of death.

The court will hear the case on March 12 after the discharge of one the defendants from the prison of Berrouaguia, on charges of felony with the formation of a criminal association, multiple robberies by night and the use of get-away vehicles while carrying an apparent firearm.

According to the file, the perpetrators were forcing the owners of vehicles to deliver them under the threat of death, by luring and erecting false roadblocks on the roads, but the alerted security services managed to eventually bust this criminal gang after extensive investigations.

Through initial inquiries on the basis of the victims’ complaints, the relevant security services were able to identify three accused, one of whom was forging the cars’ numbering plates and cloning their keys, and supplying them to the gang members.

He was also found to be involved in several criminal cases of forgery. Furthermore, the security services discovered and seized machines used in making counterfeit vehicle paintings.

During the interrogation of the accused, he confessed to being involved in illegal acts in favor of the gang, for the falsification of number plates of several stolen cars. 

Police officers also seized a firearm belonging to the main accused. The latter is a “penitent” terrorist who got the weapon while he was in the mountains together with a terrorist group.

As for the firearm found during the search of the main defendant’s house, the latter admitted that he was using the weapon to intimidate citizens in order to seize their cars, pending further expected confessions by the accused during the upcoming trial session.