Algiers - Five Algerian billionaires,
some of them close to former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika who
quit over mass protests, have been arrested as part of an
anti-graft investigation, Algerian state TV said on Monday.
The five are Issad Rebrab, considered the richest
businessman in the energy-rich north African nation, and four
brothers from the Kouninef family, it said.
The move came after Algeria's army chief, Lieutenant General
Gaid Salah, said last week he expected members of the ruling
elite in the major oil and natural gas-producing country to be
prosecuted for corruption.
An Algerian court has already summoned former prime minister
Ahmed Ouyahia and current Finance Minister Mohamed Loukal, two
close associates of Bouteflika, in a investigation into
suspected misuse of public money, state TV said on Saturday.
Bouteflika stepped down two weeks ago after 20 years in
power, bowing to pressure from the army and weeks of
demonstrations by mainly younger Algerians seeking change.
But the protests, which began on Feb. 22 and have been
largely peaceful, have continued as many want the removal of an
entire elite that has governed Algeria since independence from
France in 1962. They also want the prosecution of people they
see as corrupt.
Bouteflika has been replaced by Abdelkader Bensalah, head of
the upper house of parliament, as interim president for 90 days
until a presidential election is held on July 4.
Hundreds of thousands protested on Friday to demand the
resignation of Bensalah and other top officials.