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Algerian prosecutors are seeking prison terms of up to 15 years for members of a family accused of hiding assets and laundering money in a corruption case linked to jailed businessman Mahieddine Tahkout, a once powerful figure in the country’s vehicle trade.
The prosecutor at the specialized anti corruption court in Sidi M’hamed told the court the concealed assets exceeded 200 billion centimes, or about 2 billion dinars. At current exchange rates, that is roughly $15.4 million. Prosecutors also asked for fines that could reach 8 million dinars, about $62,000, and for the confiscation of seized property.
The main defendant, identified by the initials A.H., faces charges that include concealing proceeds of corruption, money laundering and misuse of public funds. Prosecutors asked for 15 years in prison for him, while several relatives face requested terms ranging from 10 to 12 years. Other suspects described as fugitives could receive 15 years, along with confirmation of international arrest warrants, prosecutors said.
Investigators opened the case after police received reports of suspicious purchases of property and vehicles in large volumes, according to Algerian media reports cited in court. Prosecutors said the investigation found that the main suspect acquired commercial premises linked to the state housing agency AADL and bought large numbers of vehicles from a Cima Motors sales point in Blida, then resold them illegally at prices far above market levels.
The court heard that an intermediary connected the suspect to a member of the Tahkout family described as an unofficial manager of an auto sales outlet. Prosecutors said at least 4,865 vehicles were acquired between 2017 and 2020 under conditions they described as irregular, with payments often made in cash and outside normal banking controls.
In one of the biggest figures cited in court, prosecutors said the capital used to acquire the vehicles exceeded 1,000 billion. In Algerian reporting, such amounts are often stated in centimes, which would put the figure at about 10 billion dinars, or roughly $77 million. Prosecutors also said real estate valued at more than 70 billion centimes, about 700 million dinars or $5.4 million, was seized from the main suspect and some family members.
Tahkout rose to prominence during the Bouteflika era as Algeria’s vehicle import market expanded. He built a group spanning transport and automotive interests, and became closely associated with the Tahkout Manufacturing Company, which assembled vehicles under arrangements linked to Hyundai. His name was also tied in public reporting to major dealership and distribution activity, including relationships around Cima Motors in the vehicle sales ecosystem.
He was arrested in 2019 amid a sweeping anti corruption drive that targeted politically connected business figures and former officials. Authorities accused several of those tycoons of using influence to win favorable terms, licenses or access to state resources in sectors that relied heavily on import permits and public contracts.
In court, the main defendant denied wrongdoing, describing himself as a trader and car broker active since 2006. He acknowledged buying and reselling vehicles but rejected claims that he ran an illegal network or had direct ties to Tahkout’s inner circle. Family members also denied the allegations, saying their assets came from lawful business activity.
Searches at the suspect’s home led to the seizure of what investigators described as large sums of suspicious cash, plus 17 bank accounts, 14 commercial lease contracts and records listing multiple businesses, according to the same reporting. Police also found $850 in foreign currency, prosecutors said.
Cima Motors has joined the case as a civil party and is seeking more than 251 billion dinars in damages, a claim that would equal about $1.94 billion at current rates. The public treasury has also joined the proceedings, and the court is expected to set the next steps after the prosecution’s demands and the defense response.
