Defence lawyers: what is the fault of Sonatrach’s executives who executed Khelil’s instructions?

Lawyers pleaded in a criminal court in Algiers in the end of the fourth week of the Sonatrach 1 trial for the acquittal of their clients. They raised the question “what is the fault of those executives who executed the energy minister’s instructions?”

Judge Mohamed Rekkad and the jury listened to the lawyers. The latters explained their client’s situation in details and called for their acquittal. Sonatrach’s executives were victim of a “fabricated case” which reflects a hidden conflict in power in 2009, according to their lawyers.

Lawyer Benabbas: my client executed the ministry’s instructions

Lawyer Benabbas Mohamed Amine defended accused Mouloud Ait Hocine, an architect and an executive at Sonatrach’s marketing department. He said he expects the court to acquit. He explained that his client executed his chiefs’ instructions.      

“Actually, some documents and truths which acquit Ait Hocine were hidden.,” he told the judge.

Sonatrach asked Ait Hocine to hold his position once again

Speaking about the accusation of concluding illegitimate deals, lawyer Benabbas said Ait Hocine reduced prices during the achievement phase. He asked for a comparative study. “He respected the law. Sonatrach insisted on him to come back and promoting him as a senior executive in charge of projects achievement. He resigned due to the case.”

Lawyer Radia Akdad: my client respected his duties in accordance with his job contract

Lawyer Radia Akdad defended Mohamed Senhadji, vice-director in charge of Sonatrach’s central activities. She said her client executed his duties with Sonatrach.

She talked about sacrifices made by her client for 41 years. “The 67-year-old man finds himself accused in Sonatrach case. My client was harmed because he executed the ministry’s instructions,” she said.

Lawyer Mounis Lakhdari: energy minister was more powerful then defence minister

Lawyer Mounis Lakhdari said Sanhadji was a manager executive at Sonatrach. He respected the ministry’s orders.

“My client was a witness until another suspect accused him. Senhadji did not know that calls for tender were banned. You are very aware about the strength of former energy minister Chakib Khelil. He was stronger than the defence minister at that time,” he added.

Abdelhakim Ainouz: my client reduced prices

Lawyer Abdelhakim Ainouz said production epartment director reduced prices. “So, how it comes that he is accused of squandering public money?”

He added that his client Mustapha Hassani, production director at Sonatrach, was “misled.”

“My client did not have direct interest in contracts. He could not know that the sons of Sonatrach’s CEO were involved.”

Amine Boulenouar: if Reda Hameche helped my client, she would have earnt her money

Lawyer Amine Boulenouar defended Nouria Meliani. He said if chief of personal staff of Soonatrach’s CEO Reda Hameche helped his client to get deals, she would have got her money. “She owes Sonatrach 11 billion centimes.”

He added that his client did not deny her relationship with Hameche as he was a friend of her family.

Judge prevents lawyer from revealing Sonatrach 2 case secrets

Lawyer Sadek Chaib was stopped by the judge as he was reading hearing minutes relating to Sonatrach 2 case.

He said his client Meliani is accused of money laundering due to those minutes.

“I am not here to reveal secrets but just to defend an innocent lady,” he told the judge.

Lawyer Aid Ben Omar: money laundering is present in every economic issue

Lawyer Aid Ben Omar defended the same accused woman. He said there is no legal evidence about her involvement in money laundering.

“I am surprised that we find money laundering accusation in every economic case. One hundred of examining judges know nothing about this accusation. Money laundering must be linked to public money embezzlement. My client did not steal. What are the incomes she embezzled?”

The lawyer showed documents about the source of Meliani’s properties in France and a loan she had obtained from a French bank to buy a house.

“The French judge said there is nothing wrong with her properties,” he added.