Ex-minister sent to prison for corruption in Algeria

ALGIERS– Algeria's supreme court on Monday placed former solidarity minister Said Berkat under custody as part of a wide-scale anti-corruption campaign in this North African nation, local media reported.

Berkat, a 71-year-old senator, had voluntarily relinquished his parliamentary immunity a couple of weeks ago amidst arguments over his innocence from the corruption and bad governance charges he faces, according to the state-run ENTV.

Berkat had worked under the regime of ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika when he came to power in 1999. He was named for the portfolios of agriculture, health and national solidarity.

On Sunday, another former minister of national solidarity, Djamel Ould Abbes, was also remanded in custody over the same charges.

Some former government senior officials, including two former prime ministers, Abdelmalek Sellal and Ahmed Ouyahia, were already placed under custody.

This series of arrests for corruption coincides with protests since Feb. 22 in Algeria, where the demonstrators call for democracy and the rule of law.