Probe into “Sonatrach 2” corruption case too slow: Arrest warrant against Chakib Khelil in limbo

Judicial sources told “Echorouk” that the investigation into the so-called “Sonatrach 2 corruption case” remains at a standstill, and there has been no progress in the inquiry for more than six months starting from the issuing of the injunction by the relevant examining magistrate, at the level of the specialized criminal court of Algiers.

With the remaining investigations going on at a slow pace, it’s time for the magistrates in charge of the file to consider the crux of the pending file related to the previous “Sonatrach 01” bribery affair   on 7^th of next June, as Italian justice for its part is nearing completion of its broad investigation into the “Sonatrach 02” case involving some senior executives of Sonatrach and those of the Italian energy firms ENI and its subsidiary Saipem.

The wrapping up of this file with international ramifications is expected in the coming days with the holding of the trial but ironically without the presence of former Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil, neither as an witness nor as an accused, although the latter was explicitly named by several ENI officials in the judicial investigation for malpractice while he was in office.

Our sources indicate that the investigation into file “Sonatrach 02” bribery, money-laundering and embezzlement affair hasn’t witnessed anything new for more than 6 months now, with no time limit for determining the roster of the accused and despite an order of assignment issued by the Court on the criminal offenses listed, while the flawed arrest warrant issued against former Energy Minister Chakib Khelil since August 2013 in connection with the affair , has sparked off a lot of controversy amid great secrecy by the powers that be.