Corruption mires Sonatrach

Italian CEO Scaroni allegedly bribed Algerian officials Algiers - Khaled Alloush Algeria’s Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) leader Abu Jarra Sultani has cast doubt over courts “seriousness” in dealing with a corruption scandal surrounding national energy company, Sonatrach. The so-called Sonatrach 2 Affair erupted earlier this month in Italy. The scandal is centred on the country's Saipem SpA company, a subsidiary of national energy giant Eni. Eni’s CEO, Paulo Scaroni, is currently under investigation for allegedly bribing officials within the Algerian Energy Ministry and the country’s state-owned company, Sonatrach. MSP leader Sultani criticised the Algerian judicial system for being "weak" and "unable to impose justice." "The Algerian public should come together as a civil party to the Sonatrach case because it is owned by the nation and we are all concerned parties in its affairs," he said. Sultani alleged that bribery negotiations had taken place as far afield as Hong Kong and Singapore, leaving national courts less able to prosecute. Ahd 54 chief Ali Fawzi Rebaine also called on President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika to hold those involved accountable, meanwhile demanding an independent investigation into state departments. The 2009 presidential nominee said: “If the President made mistakes in selecting ministers, then he must admit to that."