Algeria’s prosecutors have freed six generals detained on charges of corruption and wrongdoing in the North African nation.
The former commander of the National Gendarmerie, Maj. Gen. Manad Nuba, former commander of the 1st Military Region Major General Habib Shantouf, former commander of the second district Major Saeed Bay, former commander of the Fourth Military Region Major General Abdul Razzaq Sharif, and the Director of Finance of the Ministry of Defense Major General Bujmaa Budwar were among those release, according to local media.
In Algeria, a martial law amendment allows military suspects to undergo litigation “on two phases,” just similar to civil courts.
The unexpected decision comes a week after the announcement that Algeria’s frail 81-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has been in power since 1999, will stand for a fifth consecutive term in elections next year.
The veteran leader has been weak since suffering a stroke in 2013. He has since travelled abroad several times to undergo medical treatment in France and Switzerland.
The president has since then made rare public appearances, usually sitting in a wheelchair.
Since independence from France in 1962, the army has either directly named the president or played the kingmaker through an “authoritarian election,” according to experts.