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Prosecutors seek year in jail for Algeria's richest man

By AFP
Algeria Issad Rebrab is ranked by Forbes magazine as Algeria's richest man.  By ISSOUF SANOGO AFPFile
JAN 1, 2020 LISTEN
Issad Rebrab is ranked by Forbes magazine as Algeria's richest man. By ISSOUF SANOGO (AFP/File)

Algerian prosecutors on Tuesday sought a one-year prison sentence for the country's richest man Issad Rebrab who went on trial accused of tax, banking and customs offences.

The 74-year-old, who heads Algeria's biggest privately-owned conglomerate Cevital, was one of several tycoons arrested in April as part of a corruption investigation.

The probe followed the resignation of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika after weeks of mass protests against his 20-year rule.

Rebrab 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, which reported the prosecutors' sentencing request.

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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