The people of Algeria continued to storm the streets on Friday to maintain pressure on the government officials with links to former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down, reported Reuters.
The protestors are in no mood to stop despite the fact that two former prime ministers have already been arrested. They gathered in huge numbers in the Algerian capital for the 17th consecutive Friday.
“You have built prisons, you will be imprisoned there all,” one of the banners held up by protesters read.
Former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced to quit on April 2 under pressure from protesters and the army after ruling the nation for over 20 years. After Bouteflika’s exit, the demonstrators are pushing for radical change. They are calling out for the departure of corrupt politicians and businessmen who have been ruling the North African country since independence from France in 1962.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Supreme Court remanded ex-prime minister Abdelmalek Sellal in custody over graft allegations. He is being investigated over corruption cases including awarding illegal privileges.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court detained another former Algerian prime minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, under alleged corruption charges. Both Sellal and Ouyahia served as prime ministers under long-time President Bouteflika.
The police also reportedly arrested Mourad Eulmi, head of the private firm SOVAC, a partner of Germany’s Volkswagen AG, at a car assembly plant in the western province of Relizane in connection with corruption cases.
Some other prominent figures who are currently under investigation are former energy minister Chakib Khelil and Bouteflika’s brother Said.
The protesters rejected interim President Abdelkader Bensalah‘s call for a dialogue with all parties after the country’s election authorities postponed a presidential election previously set for July 4. Bensalah is yet to announce a new date for the vote.
