Algeria Now

Former Water Minister Faces Ten‑Year Jail Term Over Medjez B’gar Dam Scandal

· Source: Algeria Now

Arezki Berraki, former Minister of Water Resources, is confronting a possible ten‑year prison sentence after a court heard the Medjez B’gar dam case on 20 October 2026. The dam, situated in the commune of Aïn Makhlouf in Guelma province (wilaya), was originally priced at 776 million dinars but its final cost swelled to around 600 billion centimes.

Three contractual amendments between August 2020 and December 2023 inflated the project’s cost fivefold, prompting accusations of influence peddling, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds and the granting of unjust advantages. The prosecution argues that the inflated spending benefitted a small circle of officials and contractors.

The trial, overseen by the second section of the economic‑financial criminal pole, also implicates contractor R.H., who faces charges of inciting officials, participating in the misappropriation of funds and money laundering. Both Berraki and R.H. deny wrongdoing, maintaining that the amendments were necessary for technical adjustments.

Earlier on 20 October 2026, the Sidi M’hamed court dismissed a prior proceeding related to the same matter; the defence subsequently requested an extension to prepare its case. The current hearing will determine whether Berraki receives the maximum ten‑year sentence and what penalties, if any, will be imposed on the contractor.

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