Bedjaoui gets 3 percent for each deal between Saipem and Sonatrach in Algeria

Italian investigations in the Sonatrach-Eni corruption scandal showed that mediator Farid Bedjaoui received bribes in return for deals gained by Italy’s Saipem in Algeria at Sonatrach estimated at 3 percent for each contract.

Jeune Afrique magazine reported on Thursday that Farid Bedjaoui, the nephew of an Algerian former foreign minister has close ties with Algeria’s former energy minister Chakib Khelil. Because of that, mediation mission for foreign companies to invest in Algeria was easy for him.

According to the same source, the mystery about Bedjaoui who is prosecuted by Italian and Algerian justice for being involved in the Sonatrach 2 scandal is still unsolved.

Italy is still investigating in possible political names involved in the issue.

Bedjaoui was also part of negotiations about the construction of the Algerian embassy’s headquarter in Beijing. In 2007, he signed a contract with Saipem to get 3 percent of any deals value with Sonatrach. All the procedures were done at hotels in Paris and Milan. Negotiations were held between Bedjaoui and Saipem’s director in presence of Chakib Khelil.

In 2007-2009, the Italian company gained 7 contracts at Sonatrach worth 8 billion Euros. Bedjaoui’s company received 189 million Euros in his accounts in Europe and Asia.

The same source said Italian justice conducts investigations to find out the names of Algerian officials involved along with Bedjaoui.