Ayad: I wish I had died because of Bouali as I was horribly tortured (part 8)

Boudjemaa Ayad, one of Islamist movement founders in Algeria said he was horribly tortured that he wished he had died because of Mustapha Bouali over the Soumaa attack. He talks to Echorouk in an interview about Shia in Algeria and Islamic Scouting.

What was the Iranian revolution impact on the situation in Algeria early in the 1980’s

At the beginning, the Iranian revolution had a positive impact on the Islamic world and Algeria. Young people reacted to it positively except those who represented the revolution in Algeria. They behaved as they were preaching for Islam but in fact they were preaching their doctrine.

Did you contact them

We coordinated between each other about preaching activities. We had our first exhibition of religious books, magazines and photos in the area of Madania. One of their officials invited me to follow Shia. I told him: “I am not ready to embrace a Sunnit doctrine and I do not think I will do it for Shia doctrine. I think it is useless.”

In 1981, an Iranian delegation visited us. At that time, Iran showed support to the Irish revolution while Syria was experiencing a crisis. I asked them: “how do explain Iran and Ireland’s position and their silence over Syria’s tragedy?” The delegation head told me: “Iran has interests.” I told them: “if you want to cooperate in preaching for Islam, you are welcome. But if you want to spread your doctrine, we are Maliki and we will not change our doctrine.”

Were they Iranians or Algerians representing Shia doctrine

Of course, they were Algerians working for the Iranian embassy. We stopped coordinating with them and we could not know if they continued their activities or not.

What do you remember about the Fac Centrale events

I was transferred to a prison in Chlef (west of Algiers) when the events took place. Cheikh Abbassi Madani and other scholars were arrested. My mother visited me and told me: “I hope you will not be released in the next few days.” I asked her: “why?” She said: “big events are happening. If you were outside, you would have been hurt.”

In 1983, I met Ali Yahia Abdenour in prison. When I was released, Mustapha Bouali tried to contact me through my brother in law Sliman Dehiri but I refused to see him.

The Soumaa events took place as Bouali attacked a police barracks. How was Islamists’ relation with Mustapha? what about yours

At that time, Mustapha Bouali was extremist and he was with Ahmed Merah. I learnt from my religion that violent would lead to more violent consequences. When Mustapha tried to contact me, I refused to see him. When the Soumaa events took place, I was arrested along with other people. Media said a guard was killed and arms were stolen from the barracks. Complete details about those events are still unknown.

What were Bouali’s motivations

They were the same as ours but our means were different. We had the same reasons but we used different tools.

Did you advise Mustapha

Cheikh Abdelhadi Sayeh and I met him and we advised him to avoid violence. Yet, he remained a good and religion practicing man. He may have been pushed to adopt violent tendency because of pressure.

His brother said he had shot one time only since he went to mountains.

I heard that from many people. Even his arm was rusted. It may have gone back to the Algerian revolution.

Did he carry a gun in public

Yes, he did. Unfortunately, no one tried to call for reconciliation. Authorities did not make efforts in that sense. The Algerian society followed “who is not for me, he is my enemy” logic.

How were you arrested

Security forces caught me at home. They took me to a police station in downtown. An undercover officer ordered me to write. I asked him what to write. He said: “what aver you want.” He asked me that twice. I told him: “ask me questions and I will answer.” He asked me for the third time but I did not write anything. He ordered to take me to torture room in a basement. I was handcuffed and my eyes were covered. I was tortured by water and beaten on my foot. I wished I had died. I said: “My God, I wish death so that my other brothers will not be tortured.” I do not know how long I have stayed there. A man came and asked them to stop torturing me. It was not easy. I felt I caused a lot of troubles to my mother and my wife. I wished I had not got married.

I found out that my clothes were wet and I could not stand up on my feet. At that moment, I saw a policeman eating a sandwich and was keeping watch on me. I asked him to allow me to pray. Then, I was taken to a police station in Hussein Day and I was put in a cell. I spent the night there. The day after, I was taken to the first police station once again and I was questioned.

Why did you deny allegations? You could have said: “Bouali tried to contact me.”

If I said that in the begging, they would not have believed me. It is good for tortured people to give few answers to avoid more torture. I insisted on denying allegations. Officers brought Hadj Slimane who was tortured. In the end, I told them Bouali tried to contact me. Then, we were released.

It is said Nahnah worked with security forces to kill Mustapha Bouali.

Those who have evidences about that, they can show them and it is over.