Masked men behind clashes in Algeria southern town arrested, says minister

Communication Minister Abderrachid Boukarzaza confirmed that security forces in Ghardaia province (south of Algeria) arrested a big number of masked people who were behind events which happened in Berrian ( Ghardaia province) in the last two days.

He mentioned that the investigation and questioning procedures were opened confirming that the arrested man’s statements will identify the group behind those events. 

 During the weekly press meeting, the minister said security officers arrested most of youngsters who supported violence in Berriane and started questioning them in order to find backgrounds and causes of those events. 

Boukarzaza added that those youngsters’ case is at the security officers’ hand and the file will be treated as seen by them. But he confirmed that their arrest has come according to some instructions from interior affairs minister, Noureddine Yazid Zarhouni, who sent a security committee to end complaints and confrontations between those youngsters, noting that national security move stooped violence and anarchy.

 After peace return in the region, material damages will be counted, adding that returns will be given for those victims’ families and property owners too. He said that they don’t have enough information concerning the final damages results caused by the riots in Berriane, and that they are waiting for them.