Investigators question 16 officials involved in Sonatrach’s new scandal

Algeria’s National Gendarmerie opened an investigation into money squandering, counterfeiting and conclusion of suspicious deals by Sonatrach’s maintenance and industry company SOMIK, said senior officer Mahfoud Bousseka.

A total of 16 people are involved in the corruption case. SOMIK’s CEO was called in for questioning. Illegal deals were concluded with foreign and Algerian companies, according to the same source.

More than 25 executives and workers at the company are expected to be called in by the examining judge in a court in Skikda (east of Algeria), Echorouk has learnt.

Earlier, the National Gendarmerie forces dismantled an international network specialized in smuggling oil pipelines from Sonatrach’s industrial zone in Skikda with the help of 3 employees.

Investigations show that tons of iron were taken from Sonatrach and smuggled abroad.  A total of 15 pipelines of were caught in two wagons on the National Route No 3 between Harouche and Constantine. Eight involved suspects were identified.