The Economic and Financial Criminal Court postponed on Monday the trial of 25 defendants involved in a corruption case at the public metallurgical and steel complex ‘Imetal’ to September 8. The case involves scandals and violations in managing the public complex, collusion to squander public funds, and illegal contracts and deals, especially at the vital branches such as the ‘Hadjjar Complex,’ which caused a decline in production capacity and damage to sensitive facilities, resulting in significant financial losses to the complex and the public treasury. The postponement was requested by the defense due to the appointment of new lawyers. The defendants face charges including granting unjustified privileges in state contracts, money laundering, embezzlement of public funds, and abuse of office. Investigations revealed a systematic plan to dismantle the major economic institution with the complicity of internal gangs, including serious mismanagement, manipulation, and conflicts of interest involving the CEO and other parties.

Corruption proceeds were used to buy properties domestically and abroad. The inquiry also uncovered deliberate sabotage of the Hadjjar units and illegal exploitation of the complex’s resources by subcontracting companies. Additionally, there were abuses related to employee housing sales at symbolic prices, resold for large sums, and ethical scandals involving some detained defendants. The former CEO of Imetal, detained since March 2023, died in prison in July alongside four other officials implicated in this heavy corruption case affecting Algeria’s steel giant.