Special cell to probe Khaled Nezzar case

The prosecution of former Algerian minister of defence Khaled Nezzar has continued to haunt the Algerian political spectrum. According to the Al-Khabar newspaper, sources closely associated with the Algerian government have mentioned a special cell formed within the foreign ministry to investigate the case. Nezzar was arrested last October on a visit to Switzerland with charges of committing war crimes during his term as minister of defence in the 1990s. Some affiliates of the Islamic Salvation Front had filed a complaint before the Swiss criminal court for physical abuse, accusing Nezzar of collaboration in the crime while the case was activated by the human rights organisation Track Impunity Always (Trial). A meeting on Wednesday also discussed the possibilities of calling the Swiss ambassador to clarify the Swiss government’s stance on Nezzar. The special cell will also work on reviewing all economic deals between the two countries. The Algerian Foreign Minister had personally intervened during Nezzar's first arrest, and interrogations lasted for more than 36 hours. The formulation of case details lately has embarrassed Algerian authorities and left them confused about how to proceed. Much ambiguity surrounds the case at a time when judicial sources in Switzerland have even mentioned the possibility of interrogating Algerian ministers. In the absence of any official statement by the Algerian ministry concerning the case, analysts have said the Algerian authorities’ dislike for the decision was probably viewed by the government as a compromise of internal interests and regime figures. Sources have stated that the special cell was formed after top authorities decided to deal with the case fairly without leaving the matter just to the courts. This was seen as essential after Nezzar’s statements following his arrest, and the withdrawal of his diplomatic immunity where he said that the issue trespassed on matters meant exclusively for the judiciary. In case the court doesn’t change its ruling against Nezzar, observers claim that Algeria would be obliged to use economic interests for negotiation especially considering the significant number of investments and economic deals between the two countries.