This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
On December 7, 2019, Said Bouteflika, the brother of former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, appeared in court to testify in a corruption trial. However, he refused to respond to questions from the judge and prosecutor.
The trial involves businessmen and former officials accused of corruption charges related to millions of dollars in funding for Abdelaziz Bouteflika's aborted bid for a fifth term in office.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika suffered a debilitating stroke in 2013, leading to his brother Said being seen as the real power behind the throne. The former president quit office in April 2019 following weeks of mass protests against his bid for a fifth term.
Algeria is due to hold a contentious presidential election on December 12, 2019, which protesters have dismissed as an illegitimate attempt by the establishment to consolidate its power.
