Algerian PM denies releasing thousands of Islamists accused of terrorism

Algeria Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia denied on Sunday reports alleging to release Islamist detainees accused of terrorism.

Ouyahia mentioned throughout a news conference that "I definitely deny such a rumor, with respects I owe to brothers who announced it," referring to former senior members within the dissolved Islamist Salvation Front party (FIS), namely El Hachemi Sahnouni and Abdelfateh Zeraoui.

El Hachemi Sahnouni and Abdelfateh Zeraoui stated inside a statement issued late April that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika would soon amnesty Islamist prisoners charged of terror acts due to the fact 1992, which includes these arrested inside the early 1990s.

The statement stated President Bouteflika would decided following consulting commanders with the army and the security services to matter an amnesty in favor with the prisoners, except for all those involved in genocides, rape acts, and conducting bombing in public spaces, as stipulated within the National Reconciliation Law, which has been endorsed by the majority of Algerians inside a referendum held in September 2005.

Sahnouni and Ziraoui sent a letter to President Bouteflika two months ago, calling him to release Islamist prisoners.

Posted in: Algerian PM denies releasing thousands of Islamists accused of terrorism