An Algerian military court has reportedly summoned Algeria’s Workers’ Party Secretary General, Louisa Hanoune, who was also the former presidential candidate, to investigate charges of “prejudice to the authority of the state and the military establishment.”
The charges against Hanoune are the same charges filed against the former president’s brother Said Bouteflika and former intelligence chiefs before being arrested, reported Fox News.
The Algerian national TV broadcasted a picture of Hanoune, in the military court in Blida city, south of the Algerian capital, on Thursday afternoon.
As per reports, the investigating judge summoned Hanoune to hear her in the same case involving Said Bouteflika and former intelligence chiefs General Mohamed Madin, called Tawfiq, and General Athmane Tartag, called Bashir. The military judge arrested the three on charges of “prejudice to the authority of the army” and “conspiracy against state authority” on last Sunday.
Hanoune’s summoning comes a few days after she stood against a statement from military chief Gaid Salah, who called for a dialogue to solve the political crisis in Algeria. She also accused Salah of interfering in political affairs, which is against the constitution.
Reacting on Hanoune’detention, the Worker’s Party issued a statement saying that the party and its leader are “being subjected to an unethical campaign” and that the party would publish an explanation of the case in later stages. The party called the arrest as a counter to the Algerian people and their revolutionary mobilization.
Algerian has been facing anti-government protests since February. The protests, which began to oppose a re-election bid from former President Bouteflika, morphed into demands of radical leadership overhaul of Bouteflika’s government. In the last few weeks, protesters have persistently called for the immediate departure of the political establishment.
Amid the continuous crisis, the government announced that the election would be held on July 4. Many protesters are threatening to boycott the election.
