The Abdelhamid Temmar corruption case is set to be heard next April by the Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the Sidi Mâhamed Court in Algiers, involving allegations of illegal privatization that caused significant losses to the national economy. The former Minister of Public Participation and Investment Promotion, currently on the run, will be tried alongside the manager of the limited liability company âIkhlasâ and several co-defendants.
According to local media reports, the case revolves around serious irregularities linked to the privatization of the Tiaret Mills, part of the ERIAD group. Investigators accuse Temmar of orchestrating the sale of shares in the public enterprise for a symbolic dinar to the company âIkhlas,â which specializes in flour milling and food production.
The judicial investigation, led by the eighth chamber of the financial crimes unit, revealed that assets belonging to a subsidiary of Les Moulins de Tiaret were transferred to âIkhlasâ following a State Holdings Council resolution dated March 26, 2006. The transaction reportedly included real estate assets from three production units, also sold for a symbolic amount.
Authorities uncovered multiple legal violations during the investigation, including manipulation and significant undervaluation of the mills. Some properties involved in the dealâsuch as administrative facilities and landâwere allegedly not part of the original assets designated for privatization.
Investigators also found that the entire evaluation and bidding process was handled directly by the supervising ministry, bypassing legal procedures outlined in Ordinance 01-04 governing privatization. Financial offers submitted by âIkhlasâ were reportedly far below the true market value and even lower than bids proposed by the workers themselves.
Further irregularities emerged regarding infrastructure assets, including a two-level logistics facility that was later sold despite not being included in the initial agreement. Authorities also determined that several production units had been falsely declared inactive and unprofitable, without any independent audit between 2004 and 2009.
One of the units, however, was confirmed to be operational and regularly maintained during that period. A court-ordered appraisal estimated the value of the mills and administrative headquarters at approximately 10 billion dinars, rising to over 19 billion dinars when additional infrastructure was includedâexcluding the value of the land.
Despite this valuation, the entire complex was reportedly sold for just 59 million dinars, later adjusted to 61 million dinars, raising concerns about deliberate undervaluation and misuse of public assets.
The Abdelhamid Temmar corruption case also includes allegations of preferential treatment granted to investors with close ties to the former minister. These investors allegedly benefited from private sales of profitable public enterprises, despite opposition from certain officials.
Algerian authorities have issued an international arrest warrant against Temmar, identifying him as a central figure in what prosecutors describe as an opaque and unlawful privatization process. The charges against the defendants include abuse of influence, incitement to abuse of office, money laundering within a criminal organization, and misuse of professional authority.
Temmar himself faces additional charges, including abuse of office, granting undue advantages, and embezzlement of public funds under Algeriaâs anti-corruption laws.
The upcoming trial marks another major step in Algeriaâs ongoing efforts to address high-level corruption cases, with potential implications for governance reforms and public trust in state institutions.
Sami B. is the founder and editor of Algeria News Gate, an independent English-language platform covering Algeriaâs political, economic, and business developments. Based in Europe, he reports on official announcements, economic trends, and international relations involving Algeria.