The arrest orders came from Salah, the top Algerian army commander. The detainees according to the source are accused of breaching a January 24 warning by the army to officers, to avoid involvement into politics or to back any candidate for the April presidential poll. The 13 officers allegedly called Ghediri and vowed their endorsement for his plans to seek the top job, the source noted. The 65-year old man is viewed as the main challenger for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika who is yet to bid for the race. The army also accuses Ghediri of having ties with Mohamed Mediene, aka Toufik, who headed for several decades the country’s powerful spy agency.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 04, 2019 14:48 UTC