General Nezzar: I am not responsible for October killings

Algeria’s former defence minister Khaled Nezzar broke silence to defend his past and membership in the French army.

In an open letter published on the Internet, the retired general responded to former police officer Khaled Ziari. He said his experience with the French army enabled him to acquire experience and knowledge.

This comes as Ziari held Nezzar responsible for the killing of civilians during the October 1988 events. He called on authorities to sentence him for those crimes.

Nezzar said the number of Algerian soldiers who fled the French army to join the Revolution was estimated at about 15,000.

He added that he was not a soldier at the French army but an officer.

Speaking about the killing of several people during protests in October 1988, Nezzar said security forces did not have necessary means at that time.

He washed hands of those events, saying Paris and Geneva courts did not sentence him.