The public prosecutor requested a 10-year prison sentence and a 1 million DZD fine for former Minister of Water Resources Arezki Berraki during trial proceedings at the second branch of the Economic and Financial Penal Pole of Sidi M'hamed on 20 October 2026. Addressing the court, the Public Prosecutor stated: "Sidi President, these defendants appearing before you today were referred to the current court by an order of referral issued by the investigating judge of the Eighth Chamber for misdemeanors of actual and presumed influence peddling with an administration or public authority, intentional abuse of office, squandering public funds, and granting unjustified privileges at the National Agency for Dams and Transfers during the conclusion of a public deal for the development of the 'Majaz al-Baqar' dam in Guelma province."
Requested Sentences for Defendants
The public prosecutor requested a 20-year prison sentence and an 8 million DZD fine for Arezki Hocine, the owner of the ETPH company. An international arrest warrant remains active for Arezki Hocine. Regarding the fugitive defendant identified as T.Q. The public prosecutor requested a 15-year prison sentence and an 8 million DZD fine.
Separate requests were made for former leadership at the National Agency for Dams and Transfers. The public prosecutor sought 10-year prison sentences for two former general managers of the agency. Additionally, the public prosecutor requested 7-year prison sentences for three other defendants involved in the case. These sentencing requests follow the conclusion of the court’s review of the evidence presented against the various parties linked to the agency’s operations. The proceedings at the Economic and Financial Penal Pole of Sidi M'hamed continue as the court considers these recommendations for the individuals charged in the matter.
Financial Damages and Project Costs
The judicial agent of the Public Treasury requested 300 million DZD in compensation for damages resulting from the corruption case. This claim follows the presentation of evidence regarding the mismanagement of funds allocated to the National Agency for Dams and Transfers.
Financial records presented during the proceedings at the Economic and Financial Penal Pole of Sidi M'hamed detailed significant discrepancies in project expenditures. The initial cost of the 'Majaz al-Baqar' dam project in Guelma province was set at 77 billion DZD. Court documents indicate that this figure ultimately rose to 570 billion DZD. The prosecution utilized these figures to support the sentencing requests for the former officials and private company representatives involved in the project’s development. The court continues to evaluate the financial claims alongside the requested prison terms for the defendants.
