The Algiers Judicial Council is set to open the trial for 34 suspects on August 12, facing charges that include riots, incitement to violence, property destruction, and assault on security forces. The proceedings will be held before the First Criminal Chamber within the Algiers Judicial Council, which will formally open the case on the specified date. This case addresses incidents related to recent unrest that led to significant public disorder and damage.
Charges and Suspects Detailed
Thirty-four suspects, including minors and individuals with prior convictions, are being prosecuted in connection with the incidents. The charges against them are extensive and include incitement to public disorder in a sports facility, intentional destruction of state property, incitement to breach public order, and violent assault on public forces. These serious allegations reflect the gravity of the events that transpired. The suspects were reportedly in a state of agitation and refused to accept the loss of the match, which investigators believe contributed to their actions.
Upon their presentation to the Public Prosecutor at El Harrach Court, 14 suspects were ordered into temporary detention, indicating the initial assessment of the severity of their alleged involvement. Other suspects were placed under judicial supervision as part of the ongoing legal process, allowing for their monitoring while awaiting trial. In related proceedings, 10 members of the supporters' committee were released. Additionally, six other individuals involved in the broader case were acquitted, noting the judicial process of differentiating levels of culpability.
Riot Eruption and Destruction
The incident occurred on April 10, when riots erupted approximately 10 minutes into the second half of a football match between Ittihad El Harrach and Associazione Oran. The unrest began abruptly after Ittihad El Harrach conceded the second goal during the game, a moment that appears to have ignited the crowd's frustration.
Following the concession of the goal, rioters subsequently attempted to storm the field of play, escalating the disturbance significantly. During the ensuing chaos, they destroyed various stadium fixtures, including chairs, the metal fence separating spectators from the field, and the VIP stand within the stadium. Additionally, the individuals involved broke into two sports halls that were being used for storing a contractor's materials. From these storage areas, rioters stole various items, including multiple gasoline bottles, which could have been used to further exacerbate the unrest.
Damages and Previous Sentences
The damages caused by the riots were substantial, exceeding 1.6 billion centimes in estimated cost. During the unrest, three police officers sustained serious injuries while attempting to restore order. Two of these officers suffered fractures, while another experienced a severe eye injury from a prohibited substance thrown by rioters. Rioters also attacked national security officers by throwing stones and made attempts to burn a vehicle, further demonstrating the aggressive nature of the crowd. Forensic medical reports confirmed the severity of the injuries sustained by the officers, stating that they could potentially have led to death or permanent disability, showing the extreme danger faced by law enforcement personnel. In May, prior to the upcoming Algiers Judicial Council trial, the El Harrach Court previously imposed sentences ranging from two to five years of hard labor on defendants in this case, indicating that some legal actions have already been taken. Additionally, the convicted defendants were ordered to pay 20 million centimes to the public treasury as compensation for the damages incurred, aiming to recoup some of the financial losses from the destruction.