Mourad Medelci: “The case of intelligence remains open until uncovering the real intentions”

Algerian government will not close the file of spying for the French consulate in Annaba (east of Algeria), FM Mourad Medelci announces.

“The case will remain open diplomatically up to make sure of the intentions and purposes of espionage. I handed the case over to the higher authorities because it is a sensitive and serious issue about the security and integrity of the country”, he added, in reference to the military intelligence and counter espionage services, to compete necessary investigations, especially as members of the espionage cell, working for the French consulate in Annaba (east of Algeria), admitted, during their trial, that the French consulate asked them to implicate the army in the killing of Tibehrine monks, and that they provided information, pictures and videos of the Algerian security services, for France, especially reports about the Algerian armed troops and gendarmerie, and the nuclear reactor in Ain Wassara, as well.

“The state institutions and justice in particular has taken the right position and actions against those Algerians, and punished them according to the provisions of Algerian law, before closing the file legally, but diplomatically the file will remain open until the identification of the aims behind espionage”, FM Medelci asserted.

Previously, the Criminal Court to the Judicial Council of Annaba (East of Algeria), declared, at a late hour on last Thursday, the final decision in one of the most serious cases of espionage, against three accused, including a former military official, his partner and uncle, who get ten years in prison on charges of espionage and treason for a foreign country.

Same court sentenced the sister of the second accused to six months in prison on charges of not reporting on the crime.