Abdelkader Zoukh
Abdelkader Zoukh | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 15, 1949 Ouargla, French Algeria |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, former wali |
| Years active | 1991–2019 |
| Known for | Wali of Algiers (2013–2019); governance of multiple Algerian provinces; convicted on corruption charges |
Abdelkader Zoukh is a former Algerian official who held the position of wali of Algiers between 2013 and 2019. Prior to this, he administered several provinces including M'Sila, Aïn Témouchent, Mostaganem, Oran, and Sétif from 1991 until 2013. His dismissal occurred during the 2019 Hirak demonstrations, followed by imprisonment due to multiple corruption convictions.
Biography
Zoukh was born on November 15, 1949, in Ouargla, then part of French Algeria. He completed his studies at the National School of Administration in 1982. His public service commenced with his appointment as wali of M'Sila Province from 1991 to 1996. Subsequently, he governed Aïn Témouchent (1996–1999), Mostaganem (1999–2004), Oran (2004–2005), and Médéa Province (2005–2010). In 2010, he was assigned as wali of Sétif Province, a role he fulfilled until October 2013 when President Abdelaziz Bouteflika appointed him as wali of Algiers.
Throughout his leadership in Algiers, Zoukh encountered accusations related to corruption. His removal took place on April 22, 2019, shortly after a deadly building collapse in the Casbah district and amidst the ongoing Hirak protests. On May 26, 2019, corruption allegations led to his referral to the Algerian supreme court. He was officially retired by presidential decree on June 6, 2019, with Abdelhalek Sayouda succeeding him. Following this, Zoukh was placed under judicial oversight and faced numerous legal penalties:
- In December 2020, he received a five-year sentence for granting special favors to the family of General Abdelghani Hamel, alongside a four-year sentence for similar actions involving businessman Mahieddine Tahkout’s relatives.
- Also in December 2020, an additional four-year sentence was imposed for abuse of authority benefiting entrepreneur Ali Haddad.
- By December 2021, these sentences were reduced to one year for the Hamel case and three years each for the Haddad and Tahkout cases.
- In May 2022, he was sentenced to two years for corruption connected to preferential treatment granted to media outlet Ennahar TV.
- January 2023 saw a further three-year sentence and a monetary fine handed down for misuse of office aiding General Belksir’s son.
These judicial outcomes reveal considerable challenges regarding governance and corruption vulnerabilities within Algeria’s regional administrations during his leadership periods.