The Algiers Court is scheduled to open the legal file regarding the smuggling of gold and foreign currency abroad on 10 November. Prosecutors have charged 12 defendants in connection with the case. These individuals face prosecution for forming a cross-border criminal group. The proceedings follow an investigation into the illicit transfer of assets out of Algeria. All 12 defendants remain subject to the upcoming judicial review at the court.
Smuggling Network Operations Revealed
Members of the criminal group transported gold bars and funds to Turkey, where the items were reshaped under the Italian Goldy brand. These processed goods subsequently re-entered Algeria.
Security personnel stationed at Houari Boumediene International Airport facilitated these smuggling operations. These officials accepted benefits and financial sums reaching 400 million centimes in exchange for their participation in the illicit transfers.
Seized Assets and Evidence
Authorities seized 14 gold bars during the investigation, which have a total weight of 9590 grams. These items represent a significant portion of the evidence collected by law enforcement officials in connection with the smuggling operations.
The seizure also included a variety of foreign currency recovered from the defendants. Recovered funds consist of over 10,000 euros and 3065 Turkish liras. Investigators confiscated 200 British pounds and 400 Egyptian pounds. The cache of seized assets also contains 200 Saudi riyals and 700 UAE dirhams. All these items are currently held by the court as part of the evidentiary record for the upcoming appeal hearing.
Previous Judicial Rulings
The Misdemeanor Court of Dar El Beida previously issued prison sentences and fines for several individuals involved in the case. Defendants B. Sidi Ali, A. Hossam, and B. Reda received 10-year prison terms alongside a 5 million Algerian dinar fine. L. Samir, T. Malek, and B. S. Omar were sentenced to 8 years in prison and ordered to pay a 2 million DZD fine.
Further rulings from the same court resulted in a 5-year prison sentence and a 1 million DZD fine for both B. Farid and B. S. Mohammed. B. Slimane Othmane received a two-year prison sentence and a 500 thousand DZD fine.
The Misdemeanor Court of Dar El Beida acquitted three other defendants: B. Abdullah, A. Bilal, and B. Cherif. These judicial decisions form the basis of the current proceedings as the case moves forward to the Algiers Court for the scheduled appeal hearing.
