Mohamed Betchine to Echorouk: neither Nezzar nor Toufik can put pressure on me

Algeria’s former intelligence director retired General Mohamed Betchine said he was not involved in torturing protestors in the 1988 October events, in response to retired General Khaled Nezzar. “Nezzar in is a sick person. Former head of government Mouloud Hamrouche did not order to open fire on the FIS protestors,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

General Khaled Nezzar accused you of torturing protestors in the 1988 October events along with former President Chadli Bendjedid’s brother in law. What is your response?

He is free to say what he wants. Yet, he has to bear all the responsibility. His accusations are baseless and he does not have any historical evidence. Because of that, I am not hurt. I have been exposed to accusations since 1988. Yet, what I did not understand is clear contradiction in Nezzar’s remarks. He declares his responsibility, on one hand, and he holds others responsible, on the other hand.

Nezzar says he has proofs on your involvement in torture along with other persons including former President Chadli’s brother in law.

What is my relationship with Chadli’s brother in law who was a prefect. I have nothing to do with him. Those are serious accusations. Nezzar is out of his mind.

Will you accept a TV face to face debate he proposed to prove your innocence?

I do not want to meet him. In 1998, I proposed to meet with Chadli and all the political personalities but they refused. Now, they invite me for a TV face to face debate after most of the witnesses had passed away.

Will you write memories?

Yes but I am not in a hurry. It will take a long time because I am writing on a slow pace.

Was General Toufik behind your resignation for the second time?

General Toufik is still alive. Ask him if he could put pressure on me. No one can do it. Neither Toufik nor Nezzar are powerful enough to put pressure on me.

I resigned twice because I was convinced. In the first time, I wanted to quit after the dissolved-Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) had won elections. In the second time, I resigned because of circumstances. At that time, I held the position of an advisor minister for former President Liamine Zeroual.