Sonatrach case: final judgement to be delivered on Tuesday

« We accomplished our job in accordance with the law. We did not deceive people neither Sonatrach. We trust the justice of our country. We want acquittal,” Sonatrach’s executives said in a court in Algiers.

Judge Mohamed Rekkad allowed suspects to give their last comments. Accused Al Ismail said he is innocent and he trusts the justice of his country. “I served Algeria. I want to be acquitted,” he told the judge.

Accused Mustapha Hassani said he was sincere at work and none of his properties was confiscated except his passport.

Accused Mustapha Cheikh told the judge he was innocent and the case harmed him.

Accused Belkacem Boumediene shed tears and recited verses from the Quran. “I did not except that the trial would be like this. I want you to be wise to acquit us,” he said.

Accused Reda Meziane asked for acquittal as well and exposed his confiscated properties.

Accused Bachir Fawzi Meziane said he has nothing to do with the issue.

Accused Hachemi Meghaoui told the judge he had a good intention and did not plan to get involved in corruption. “It is difficult to spend six years in jail with my son.”

His son Yazid said he is innocent and asked for acquittal.

Accused Znassi Ben Omar was smiling and said he was innocent.

Accused Abdelouahab Abdelaziz told the judge he served Algeria and Sonatrach and he trusts justice.

Accused Mohamed Senhadji said he respected his prerogatives and he trusts the court.

Accused Mouloud Ait Hocine asked for acquittal as well.

Chawki Rehal said he had appeared in court for the first time and all what he did was in favour of Sonatrach and Algeria.

Accused Nouria Meliani said she has nothing to do with Sonatrach.

Sonatrach’s CEO Mohamed Meziane told the judge he had been working in hydrocarbons sector for 43 years and did not commit any management wrongdoing. “I did not cheat on my country neither on Sonatrach.”

Chakib Khalil was member of the ministers’ council and was aware of projects important for Sonatrach

Lawyer Abdelaziz Azourine said the trial showed that former energy minister Chakib Khelil’s instructions were urgent.

Conspiracy hypothesis cost Boumediene six years in prison

Lawyer Abdelhak Madani told the judge his client Belkacem Boumediene was victim of a series of wrongdoings and realities.

“I am sorry to see that temporary prison still represents a problem in 2016. Algerian justice still does not understand that being civilized in respecting human rights. In our Islamic law and not only in international accords, freedom is sacred,” he added.

He also said that his client is a good modal for executives but a hypothesis turned him into a criminal.

“The intelligence department repeated the word conspiracy in its report. It trialled Boumediene in 2009 on the basis of conspiracy theory. Investigation punished him in January 2010 as he was put in temporary prison for six years,” he told the judge.