Three former Algerian presidential candidates have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for electoral fraud and corruption, in a case that is shaking the country’s political landscape.
Among those convicted are Saida Neghza, a prominent businesswoman and former head of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises, along with Belkacem Sahli and Abdelhakim Hamadi, a veterinarian known for his repeated but unsuccessful presidential bids.
According to the court, the trio attempted to illegally acquire endorsement signatures required to validate their candidacies—an act considered electoral fraud.
Though sentenced, all three remain free pending appeal and have ten days to challenge the decision. Each was also fined one million Algerian dinars, which amounts to over 20 million Mozambican meticais at the current exchange rate.
The ruling comes amid a politically charged atmosphere. In the 2024 elections, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was re-elected with over 84% of the vote. However, the outcome has been publicly contested by opposition voices, who cited widespread irregularities.
This case reignites public concern over the transparency and credibility of Algeria’s electoral system, often criticized for lacking democratic integrity and trustworthiness.
Source: O País