Algeria’s ex-minister of industry jailed in high-profile corruption case

Former minister among several people jailed in corruption case that saw prison sentences of between three and 10 years.Former Algerian Industry Minister Ali Aoun has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of corruption, local media reported.Aoun, who was the minister for industry and pharmaceutical production between 2022 and 2024, was jailed on Monday in a high-profile corruption case that saw several senior figures convicted, the Algerian online news site Dzair Tube reported.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Pope Leo lands in Algeria for historic visit as he starts Africa tourlist 2 of 3Boxer Khelif says she is open to genetic testing by IOC for 2028 Olympicslist 3 of 3Trump’s Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer latest to leave administrationend of listAccording to the news site, prosecutors had sought a 12-year sentence for the former minister, and 10 year sentences for several other defendants. Aoun was also ordered by the Economic and Financial Criminal Court in the capital, Algiers, to pay a fine of 1 million Algerian dinar (approximately $7,500).Local media said the case revolved around the irregular sales of ferrous and non-ferrous metal waste in violation of public asset management rules.“The case centred on accusations of corruption, mismanagement and the unlawful awarding of industrial and investment contracts, notably involving the trade in ferrous waste and copper residues,” Dzair Tube reported.The AFP news agency said that several other officials were also convicted, though some were acquitted due to a lack of evidence.Among those convicted was the former minister’s son, Mehdi Aoun, who was handed a six-year prison term as part of the same case, while investors, an official at a state-owned business and a prominent businessman received sentences of between three and 10 years, according to Dzair Tube.The case and the convictions come amid an ongoing anticorruption drive launched by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who came to power in 2019 amid widespread pro-democracy protests.