Algiers Judicial Council Issues Final Rulings in “ANEP 2” Corruption Case

The Algiers Judicial Council on Wednesday, February 11, issued its final rulings in the high-profile “ANEP 2” corruption case, involving former Ministers of Communication Djamel Kaouane and Abdelhamid Grine, former ANEP Director General Amine Chikhi, and 10 other defendants, reducing several prison sentences and ordering asset confiscation.

Reduced Prison Sentences and Fines

During the sentencing hearing, the presiding judge of the First Criminal Chamber reduced the prison terms of Djamel Kaouane and Amine Chikhi from eight years to six years of effective imprisonment. Each was also fined one million Algerian dinars.

The court likewise reduced the sentence of former minister Abdelhamid Grine from four years to two years of effective imprisonment. He was fined 100,000 dinars.

Mixed Verdicts for Other Defendants

As for the remaining defendants, the court upheld earlier rulings issued by the Economic and Financial Criminal Division of Sidi M’Hamed against several individuals.

However, five defendants were fully acquitted of all charges, marking a partial relief in a case that has drawn significant public attention in Algeria.

Confiscation of Assets and Civil Compensation

The court ordered the confiscation of all seized bank assets belonging to the convicted individuals in favor of the public treasury.

On the civil side, the Judicial Council ruled that:

• Djamel Kaouane and Amine Chikhi must jointly pay one million dinars in compensation to the Judicial Agent of the Treasury.

• “M. Cherif” and “L. Ammar” are required to pay 500,000 dinars in damages.

• Abdelhamid Grine must pay 200,000 dinars in compensation.

The “ANEP 2” corruption case remains one of the most prominent financial crime cases involving former senior officials in Algeria. With reduced sentences, asset confiscation, and financial penalties confirmed, the rulings signal the judiciary’s continued handling of high-level corruption cases amid ongoing public scrutiny.