Lakhdar Bouregaa: “I Had No Intention To Offend The People’s National Army”

The Mujahid (war veteran) Lakhdar Bouregaa denied that his previous statements were directed against the People’s National Army and that he did not intend to offend the military institution.

Mujahid Lakhdar Bouregaa issued a statement to the public opinion, that was published by his defense, about his statements against the military institution, which led to his imprisonment under investigation at Algier Harrache penal institution.

“I did not intend to offend the army, but I meant to warn against post-independence mistakes”, Bourregaa said in his statement.

“I have contributed with my children students in the consecration of the slogan “Army of the People are Brothers”.

He explained that his statements regarding the establishment of the army of the independent Algerian state is a historical testimony that is recorded in his published memoirs and does not mean the third generation of independence, who make up the vast majority of the members of the People’s National Army now.

“My intention was not to offend the National People’s Army as a regular body that performs its constitutional functions and powers. My intention was only to alert and warn against the same mistakes of the past.”

“I rejected the invitations and temptations of all political officials, but I am proud of the honors that I’ve received by the institution of the National People’s Army” , asserting that he was honored by the military institution three times.

Bouregaa called on the Algerians to be vigilant and stand up against foreign interference, to make the preservation of the country a priority and to peacefully express demands and avoid provocations and clashes and reject foreign interference in internal affairs under any pretext.

“Parties in Algeria are mired in corruption, trying with all their efforts and despicable methods to break the national cohesion so that they can survive but Allah is greater and stronger”.

“My position is an expression of my refusal to accuse any region of betrayal, especially if this area is a key organ of the Algerian body”, he added.

On June 29, security forces arrested the Mujahid Lakhdar Bouregaa, ordering the prosecutor to the court of Bir Mourad Rais in the following day to transfer Bouregaa to remand in custody. He was transferred to Algiers Harrache prison on charges of “demoralizing the army”.

The investigative judge of Algiers Bir Mourad Rais court ordered to place Bouregaa in provisional detention after appearing before the prosecutor on charges of weakening the morale of the army and insulting a regular body.