Algeria's former national police chief appears in court over corruption charges

Abdelghani Hamel is suspected of involvement in 'illegal activities'

Demonstrators hold flags during anti government protests in Algiers, Algeria April 26, 2019. Reuters

Algeria's finance minister and former police chief appeared in court on Monday, joining a list of powerful figures to face judicial investigations since mass protests forced the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika this month.

Finance Minister Mohamed Loukal – a former central bank governor who only got the job from Mr Bouteflika last month – appeared in Algiers as part of an investigation into suspected misuse of public funds, state TV reported.

Former police chief Abdelghani Hamel – who was sacked last year by Mr Bouteflika for undisclosed reasons – and his son appeared in Tipaza, west of the capital, as part of an investigation into illegal activities, influence peddling, misappropriation of land and abuse of office, state TV said.

There was no immediate comment from any of the men or lawyers defending them. Under the Algerian legal system, judges can look into ongoing investigations and decide whether to put people in custody or release them until inquiries are complete.

Protesters have taken to the streets since February, calling for the removal of Mr Bouteflika and the dismantling of the political elite that surrounded his 20-year rule.

Mr Bouteflika resigned on April 2 under pressure from the army, but protests have called for a handover to a new civilian-led government.

At least five billionaires, some of them close to Mr Bouteflika, have been placed in custody accused of involvement in corruption scandals.

Abdelkader Bensalah, head of the upper house of parliament, became interim president after Mr Bouteflika's departure.

Protests have continued as demonstrators rejected the appointment of Mr Bensalah as interim president, who as upper house head runs a transition period of 90 days before a presidential election on July 4.

Mr Bouteflika stepped down after pressure from army chief Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah who had declared him unfit for office, in a bid to avoid prolonged turmoil.

The army has since offered to secure a smooth transition under the framework of the constitution.