Algeria Sentences Three Presidential Candidates to Prison for Electoral Fraud

Watan-In an unprecedented ruling, Algeria’s judiciary sentenced three candidates from the 2024 presidential elections, including a former minister and a prominent businesswoman, to four years in prison with immediate detention.

The Algiers Court of Appeals handed down the ruling on Saida Neghza, Belkacem Sahli, and Abdelhakim Hammadi, along with a fine of one million Algerian dinars (around $7,300 USD). Other defendants in the case received sentences ranging from 18 months to 3 years in prison.

The prosecution had originally requested 10-year prison sentences and hefty fines for the three main defendants, and 5 to 8 years for the others, including Neghza’s son, elected officials, and members of business organizations accused of facilitating or directly participating in signature-buying schemes.

The Case

The case dates back to August 2024, when authorities began investigating the purchase of endorsement signatures—either from regular citizens or elected officials—in exchange for large sums of money, in order to meet the legal threshold to run in the presidential race.

At the time, Attorney General Lotfi Boujemaa—who later became Minister of Justice—stated that over 50 elected officials admitted to receiving bribes ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 DZD (roughly $100–$200) to endorse candidates. Around 10 middlemen were also interrogated and confessed to participating in the scheme.

In total, 74 individuals were charged in the case, including 68 placed in pre-trial detention. The charges included corruption, abuse of power, vote-buying, bribery, and misuse of public office.

Investigations revealed a deal to collect 50,000 signatures on behalf of Saida Neghza in exchange for 4 billion centimes (roughly $300,000 USD). Several local officials admitted to signing forms in return for money.

Who Are the Accused?

• Belkacem Sahli: Former Secretary of State for Algerians Abroad under President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and leader of the National Republican Alliance (ANR). He supported Bouteflika’s controversial fifth term that triggered mass protests.

• Saida Neghza: A controversial businesswoman, head of the National Confederation of Algerian Enterprises. Known for publicly criticizing Algeria’s economic policies, she fled the country amid media attacks but returned to declare her candidacy.

• Abdelhakim Hammadi: An independent candidate with no party affiliation, known for his online presence and campaign titled “National Safety.”

Political Ramifications:

The three had previously criticized the National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE) for rejecting their candidacy files, claiming they had met the legal requirements. The authority accepted only three candidates out of 16:

• President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (who won re-election)

• Abdelali Hassani Cherif (Movement of Society for Peace)

• Youssef Aouchiche (Socialist Forces Front)

Candidates are required by law to either collect 50,000 citizen signatures or 600 signatures from elected officials, which many found too difficult without resorting to corrupt practices.

This ruling represents a harsh crackdown on electoral corruption in Algeria and signals the government’s intent to close the chapter on legacy networks and political elites tied to the Bouteflika era.