However, suspected of corruption and illegal transfer of capital abroad, 12 businessmen are under investigation and have been banned from leaving Algeria. The suspects have one major thing in common, they are all close ally to President Bouteflika, having been major backers financially and ideologically. Also among them is Ali Haddad, head of yet another major construction firm, ETHB Group, that allegedly took advantage of Haddad’s position to divert state contracts in illegal manners. There is an ongoing fight within the ruling regime, and the Bouteflika clan appears to be on the losing side of it. If these revelations end up being true, Algeria’s deep state remains active and the very presence of Said Bouteflika and General Toufik is evidence of the continued resistance against reform in a country that needs it badly.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 02, 2019 17:26 UTC