Brother of ousted Algerian leader, two generals arrested

ALGIERS, Algeria — The younger brother of Algeria’s former longtime president was detained Saturday for questioning with two generals who previously ran state security agencies, a security official said.

The official confirmed Algerian news media reports of Said Bouteflika’s detention. The 61-year-old served as a special counselor to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, before the ailing leader resigned under pressure April 2 after 20 years in office.

The arrests of three key figures from the Bouteflika era underscored turmoil in the government as protesters at weekly Friday marches push for the rest of the old guard to go, too.

Said Bouteflika was viewed in Algeria as the man at the center of a political system that enriched the oil-rich nation’s industrialists while young Algerians suffered high rates of unemployment.

He has been accused of usurping presidential powers after his brother’s 2013 stroke.

The two arrested generals also occupied top positions in the power hierarchy established during Bouteflika’s long presidency.

Mohamed Mediene, known as Toufik, was in charge of military intelligence service DRS for 25 years and was one of Algeria’s most powerful men until he was forced to resign in 2015.

Also detained was Athmane Tartag, who headed the DSS state security service until last month, the official said.

The security official said the three men were being questioned by the central security service. The security official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the discreet nature of security services.

There was no official word from the government on the arrests.

The DSS previously reported to the president but now answers to the Defense Ministry, led by the powerful army chief whose withdrawn support helped push Abdelaziz Bouteflika out.

Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah might have had a hand in Saturday’s arrests too. He publicly accused Toufik of plotting against the protesters who took to the streets of Algiers on Feb. 22 after the president formalized his candidacy for a fifth term.