Algeria's richest man Issad Rebrab, who heads its biggest privately-owned conglomerate Cevital, went on trial Tuesday accused of tax, banking and customs offences.
He was one of several tycoons arrested in April as part of a corruption probe following the resignation of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika after weeks of mass protests against his 20-year rule.
Rebrab, 74, is being tried along with two companies, Cevital subsidiary Evcon and the Jordan-based Housing Bank for Trade and Finance, according to national news agency APS.
They are charged with breaking laws on foreign exchange and fund transfers as well as forgery and false custom declarations.
Rebrab denies the accusations.
Forbes magazine lists Rebrab as Algeria's richest man and the sixth-wealthiest in Africa, with a net worth of $3.9 billion in 2019.
Cevital employs 18,000 people, produces electronics, steel and food, and in recent years it has acquired businesses in France.
While his businesses flourished under Bouteflika's rule, Rebrab had backed the protests that ultimately forced the president to resign in April.
His company has said it was "astonished" by his arrest.
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