Algeria former PM appeared in Algiers court over alleged corruption

Algerian former prime minister Ahmed Ouyahia, appeared in a court in Algiers on Sunday to be questioned over alleged corruption involving the partner in Algeria of Germany's Volkswagen, state TV said.

This is the second time Ouyahia has been questioned since the Supreme Court last week ordered his detention as part of another investigation into alleged corruption.

Protesters and the army drove former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign on April 2 after two decades in power, but public pressure has continued for the departure and prosecution of senior figures around him.

In a statement, the Algiers public prosecutor’s office said that along with the former PM, the referral also included Tourism Minister Abdelkader Benmessaoud and former ministers Youcef Yousfi and Abdelghani Zaalane, who were in charge of industry and transport respectively.

Six provincial governors were also referred to the Supreme Court in the same case, the statement said.

The army is now the main player in Algeria’s politics, and its chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah has vowed to bring to justice all those suspected of corruption.

Protesters are now pushing for the departure of interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, whom they view as part of the establishment.

Authorities have postponed a presidential election previously planned for July 4, citing a lack of candidates but without setting a new date.