Algeria to arrest dozens of Bouteflika-era officials

Algeria will arrest scores of officials with links to ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the coming days, the head of the Justice and Development Party said yesterday.

“The next few days will see the arrest of dozens of former senior officials linked to Algeria’s ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika,” Abdel Rahman Hanano said.

“When the masses took to streets, they were demanding the ouster of Bouteflika and his aides,” the Algerian politician pointed out, stressing that “the Algerian people would never give up on their demands.”

On Sunday, Algeria’s interim President, Abdul Kader Bin Saleh, warned of “harmful and complicated threats of external sources but with extensions inside the country.”

READ: Brother of Algeria’s ex-President Bouteflika placed in custody by military judge – state TV

“Weakening and destabilising Algeria is a strategic plan for some parties,” Bin Saleh added.

Massive protests calling for a radical change to Bouteflika’s government pushed the ailing president to resign on 2 April. Demonstrators continued to demand the removal of all those linked to the former administration.

Army chief of staff Ahmed Gaed Salah has promised to rid the country of corrupt politicians, oligarchs and military officials in order to restore confidence among the people.

READ: Algeria ex-police chief in court on corruption charges