General Nezzar: my case in Switzerland is political and will take a long time

In the last part of his interview with Echorouk, retired General Khaled Nezzar talked about missing people’s issue, his prosecution in Switzerland and the State’s position towards it.

Missing people’s families are still protesting to know about the faith of their sons.

We know that many of missing people’s families received compensation except a few of them. Of them, there is Nacira Ditour. We know who is she. She works for the FFS party and we are aware of the reasons behind her reaction.

Tell us about your prosecution by Swiss justice.

I just want to say something about missing people’s families. A few of them only who did not accept compensation but their problem should be solved. It is difficult to know the faith of all the missing people. People were secretly operating in mountains. Some died and their families could not know that. Because of that, it is difficult to solve this issue in a way to make everyone happy.

You are used to show your positions which were published in newspapers.

There is a difference between showing my position and the reality of what was happening behind the scenes. I had no contacts except a contact with former President Zeroual. When General Mohamed Lammari was in place, I contacted him from time to another but not in an official way.

Did you get support from the State as Swiss justice sued you?

Yes, I did. The President supported me even with a verbal letter he addressed to the Swiss government. He said he did not recognize that trial as it hit the Algerian sovereignty.

Did Algeria and Switzerland contact each other about this case?

Yes, they did. Parliament’s speaker Abdelaziz Ziari went to Switzerland and met its officials twice. The State also covered financial expenses via the Algerian consulate there.

Were you offered a private plane to travel?

No.

Which level did legal procedures reach in your case with Swiss justice?

I do not want to talk about details. I guess it will take a long time as it is still in the process of investigation. In 2011, Switzerland amended its laws to interfere in others’ affairs. This means there a lobby. Swiss State’s attorney who was in charge of the case was excluded and another one was appointed who was in charge of fighting terrorism.

Why was she excluded?

I think it is because of the way she managed the case. My case disturbed the Swiss government.

Why?

Because the case is political.

Do you have witnesses?

My witnesses are: former foreign minister Mohamed Bedjaoui, General Maiza, military general attorney Bekhari, Ali Haroune and eight others. Of them, Ahmed Djebbar, Asslaoui and others.

You were involved in a similar case in 2001.

That case was supposed to be rejected. Yet, political pressure was put to impose it. The 1984 accord forbids to trial any Algerian abroad as long as he did not appear in court in his country. French State’s attorney made a mistake. In Paris, I lodged a lawsuit against Souaidia for diffamation. I wanted to use this case to end the “who kills who” thesis.

What is your comment about former intelligence director Mohamed Mediene’s letter?

General Tewfik talked about an issue as he believed it involves injustice. He was in charge of Hassan. He gave him instructions and the latter executed them properly.