Soltani and visa in the core of East-West Motorway trial

A criminal court in Algiers postponed the East-West motorway case due to the absence of the main suspect’s defense lawyers.

A total of 23 suspects are involved in the case including former Secretary General of the Algerian public works ministry, its executives, a businessman and the daughters of a former ambassador. A suspect is on the run.

Foreign companies from China, Japan, Canada, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain are also part of the case. They are accused of corruption, money laundry and legislation violation.

Investigators have been working on the case for 7 years.

Businessman’s lawyers were absent due to visa

The court judge realized that the businessman’s lawyers were not present.

Echorouk has learnt that one his lawyers who comes from France could not get visa to enter Algeria. Because of that, his Algerian colleagues decided not to attend so that the case would be postponed.

Abu Djerra Soltani’s son and the State’s Residence Director absent

The witnesses’ list which includes more than 28 names showed the name of the son of the MSP party’s former leader Abu Djerra Soltani and the director of the State’s Residence  Ahmed Melzi.

Foreign companies lawyers call for dropping prosecution procedures

The Canadian group lawyers asked the judge to postpone the case as the company’s representative received the convocation, two days ago only. The Spanish company defense lawyers called for dropping the procedures as the investigation did not show any evidence about corruption.

Businessman attached to his French lawyer

The judge tried to continue the procedures. Yet, the businessman insisted on his French lawyer. The judge tried to convince him of appointing a lawyer for him as part of judicial assistance. “I don’t need assistance. I have enough money to hire lawyers and I insist on the main French lawyer,” he told the judge.