Three prominent Algerian figures who once aspired to the presidency have been sentenced to 10 years in prison in a high-profile corruption case linked to the 2024 presidential election. The defendants — businesswoman Saïda Neghza, former minister Belkacem Sahli, and pharmaceutical executive Abdelhakim Hamadi — were each fined 1 million dinars in addition to their jail terms. The trio, whose candidacies for the September 2024 presidential race were rejected by Algeria’s Constitutional Court, were accused of bribing elected officials to secure the necessary endorsements to appear on the ballot. In August 2024, the prosecution revealed that 50 municipal and regional representatives admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for providing official sponsorship.
The court ruled that Neghza, Sahli, and Hamadi engaged in systematic vote-buying and abuse of political influence, violating Algeria’s electoral and anti-corruption laws. Their disqualifications cleared the path for incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to win re-election with little competition.
The verdict is part of a broader sweep against electoral corruption, with about 70 individuals convicted in the same case, including politicians, civil servants, and business figures. The sons of Saïda Neghza were also sentenced to between 5 and 8 years for their roles in aiding and abetting, as well as money laundering tied to the scandal.
Despite the sentences, all three main defendants remain free pending appeal, with 10 days to contest the ruling. This case has deepened concerns over electoral integrity and political accountability in Algeria, as opposition groups and civil society call for comprehensive reforms to restore public trust in democratic institutions.
