Algeria: Business tycoon arrested on graft charges

An Algerian court on Monday ordered the arrest of a business tycoon affiliated with former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on corruption charges, according to local media. Mahieddine Tahkout was taken into custody in Harrach prison, east of the capital Algiers, the media said. The businessman was interrogated on charges of obtaining "unjustified privileges" in investment projects. In March, Tahkout was barred from travel, along with a number of businessmen. The Algerian Public Prosecutor's Office investigates financial and economic corruption against businessmen, politicians and former officials of Boueflika’s regime. Earlier, army's Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Saleh said that "the justice will open up major corruption cases." Bouteflika, 82, stepped down early in April following several weeks of popular demonstrations against his 20-year rule. Abdelkader Bensalah, a former speaker of parliament, is currently serving as interim president for a 90-day transitional period overseen by the army. Demonstrators, however, have remained on the streets to demand the departure of all officials associated with the Bouteflika regime, including Bensalah.