The Algerian President Hope bearer competes in the prison in the signature purchase scandal

Watan-The case of the signature purchase in Algeria's latest presidential election has drawn a dramatic turn because the prosecutor applied for 10 years of prison for three candidates: former minister Belkacem Sahli, the prominent businesswoman Saida Neghza and the political activist Abdelhakim Hammadi.

According to ongoing court proceedings at the Sidi M'hamed Criminal Court in Algier, the prosecutor also demanded a fine of one million Algerian dinar for each of the three defendants. Additional prison terms of 5 to 8 years were asked for other accused persons, including Neghza's son, local officials, local officials, members of the Algerian Confederation of the companies, and citizens who facilitated or executed the purchase of nomination signatures.

The public prosecutor also called for the confiscation of all confiscated assets associated with the case and the maintenance of an international arrest warrant against the second son of Saida Neghza, who reported reported from the country.

Signature scandal from Algeria: Dozens of officials are in court for bribes from the President

The scandal dates from August of the previous year when preparing for the presidential race. The investigators suspected several candidates, both citizens and elected nomination signatures to buy in exchange for large sums of money in order to achieve the statutory threshold for candidacy.

The then general provider Lotfi Bougma (now Minister of Justice) said that over 50 elected civil servants had been in formal explanations to receive bribes between 20,000 and 30,000 dinars (approx. $ 100 to $ 200) in exchange for confirmations. He also confirmed that ten intermediaries were interviewed, most of which admitted their participation.

Three candidates are now charged according to anti -corruption laws, including inappropriate advantage, abuse of power, offering and accepting bribes and facilitation of election fraud. A total of 68 accused of the most of the civil servants chosen in custody in custody before the procedure, whereby the case affects a total of 74 suspects.

In the recent court hearings, several accused denied all charges, although in investigated knowledge he submitted a deal for the collection of 50,000 signatures for Saida Neghza in exchange for 4 billion centimeters (approx. 300,000 US dollars). Local officials were also heard for financial compensation for alleged signing by candidates. According to the recommendations of the public prosecutor, the defense is expected to present its arguments before the court.

Before the trial, the three candidates were under judicial supervision, which were excluded from travel, media appearances or political activities.

Rejected candidates, political alliances and signature wars in the breed of the President in Algeria

Belkacem Sahli heads the Republican National Alliance and ran under the stability and reform coalition. As a former Foreign Minister for Algerians abroad within the late President Abdelaciz Boutflika, he was a well -known supporter of BoutFlika's controversial fifth term.

Saida Neghza, a controversial businesswoman and head of the National Confederation of Enterprises, recently criticized Algeria's economic policy in a letter to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who led to public counter -reactions and temporary departure before returning to display her candidacy.

Abdelhakim Hammadi, an independent candidate, achieved visibility on social media with the title “National Safety”.

During the signature recording phase, all three questioned the election authority's decision to reject their candidates and accused them of manipulating files even though they met the required odds.

Of the 16 applicants for the presidency, only three were admitted: the current President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Abdelali Hassani Cherif (Movement of the Society for Peace) and Youcef Aouchiche (socialist armed forces), whose files were forwarded to the constitutional court. Others were allowed to appeal.

According to the Algerian voting right, the candidates have to collect 50,000 citizens' signatures or opt for the shorter route – 600 individual signatures of elected members in municipal, provincial or parliamentary bodies.