Lawyers: no evidence about bribes paid by Bedjaoui to Khelil

The lawyers of Farid Nourredine Bedjaoui, an alleged talks mediator in the Sonatrach-Eni-Saipem scandal rejected accusations against his client saying there is no evidence about bribes paid to Algeria’s former energy minister Chakib Khelil.

The lawyers told Echorouk the evidence about the non-involvement of Bedjaoui was confirmed when documents were checked upon request from the court.

The court charged Bedjaoui following some meetings held between senior officials at Saipem and Khelil in Vienna and Paris. Suspects did not admit any evidence about the signing of any illegal deal during those meetings.

According to the lawyers, former construction and architecture at Saipem Petro Faroni said he did not witness any money payment to Khelil by Bedjaoui. “The relation between Saipem and Farid Bedjaoui was based on a completely transparent consultation contract,” he added.

Saipem won 7 deals out of 20 in 2006-2010, according to the same source.