FAF trial: a sixth postponement for Zetchi, Charaf-Eddine, and Zefizef
This Tuesday, the economic and financial criminal division near the Sidi M’hamed court postponed the examination of the case regarding the management of the Algerian Football Federation to October 13. Three former officials of the federation, Kheireddine Zetchi, Charaf-Eddine Amara, and Djahid Zefizef, are being prosecuted. This new postponement marks the sixth since the beginning of the FAF trial.
FAF trial postponed to October 13 due to the absence of a lawyer
This time, the reason for the postponement is not related to procedures. According to the media outlet El-Khabar, one of Kheireddine Zetchi's lawyers was unable to attend due to the death of a colleague's wife. Unable to benefit from the defense of the former FAF president, the court decided to set a new date for the hearing.
The previous five postponements were motivated by other reasons. The lawyers had initially requested additional time to review a large file, a request accepted by the court, which kept the three former presidents in detention. Additionally, there were absences of certain parties, as well as a scheduling conflict with the celebration of Mawlid Ennabaoui.
At each appearance, the pattern repeated: calling the accused, witnesses, and civil parties, the defendants entering under escort, followed by a declaration of impediment. The substance of the case has not yet been addressed.
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The third chamber of the economic and financial criminal division now mentions the date of October 13, according to the same source. The goal will be to finally achieve a genuine opening of debates after a series of aborted sessions. A hearing in June was marked by very poignant moments between the defendants and their families, reflecting the tension surrounding this trial.
Former FAF presidents and former federal officials facing prosecution
The defendants' bench is not limited to the three former presidents. Two former secretaries-general of the federation, Mohamed Saâd and Mounir Debbichi, as well as the former director of administration and finance, Abdelghani Nekkache, are also on the bench. Other officials from that time are also included in the case.
For reference, the accusations concern the administrative and financial management of the federation. Investigators examined the signing of contracts and the awarding of contracts that may have violated existing legal and regulatory rules. The investigation, concluded in the spring after hearing more than fifteen involved individuals, led to a referral to the specialized jurisdiction.
The investigations date back to the period that began with Kheireddine Zetchi's arrival at the head of the federation in 2017. An additional expertise was added to the procedure before the closure of the investigation, making the case even more complex, as described by the lawyers.
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