Algerian president’s son faces renewed scrutiny in cocaine scandal

The reopening of the infamous El Bouchi cocaine case, involving over 700 kilograms of drugs and alleged links to Algeria’s ruling elite, has reignited political tensions in the country. At the center of the controversy is Khaled Tebboune, son of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, whose earlier acquittal under suspicious circumstances is now under fresh examination.

A scandal resurfaces

On June 15, Algerian authorities quietly reopened the case, though the trial was later postponed, according to Le Monde. While the move received little attention from mainstream media, analysts interpret it as a political maneuver by rival factions within Algeria's regime to weaken President Tebboune’s authority.

The El Bouchi case first erupted in 2018 when 701 kilograms of cocaine were discovered in containers of frozen meat at the port of Oran. The drugs were tied to Kamel Chikhi, a real estate developer turned drug trafficker known as "El Bouchi." The scandal quickly implicated high-profile figures, including Khaled Tebboune, who faced accusations of corruption, abuse of power, and receiving illegal gifts.

Allegations and acquittal

After Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s election as president in December 2019, the case against his son seemingly disappeared. Khaled Tebboune, who had reportedly received VIP treatment in prison, was acquitted in February 2020 in what critics called a show trial designed to exonerate him. Key charges were dropped, and the case appeared to be buried—until now.

The decision to reopen the case is widely seen as a challenge to President Tebboune’s leadership, with speculation that internal rivalries within Algeria’s ruling elite are driving the move. No new trial date has been announced, adding to the intrigue surrounding the situation.

Signs of internal fractures

Observers point to growing divisions within Algeria’s power structure, with some factions using the El Bouchi case to undermine Tebboune. His presidency, initially presented as a break from the corruption of the Bouteflika era, has been marred by allegations of cronyism and political retaliation.

Critics cite several examples of Tebboune’s controversial use of power, including denying visas to opponents’ legal representatives and targeting dissidents. In one high-profile incident in 2024, opposition figure Amir DZ narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt in France, allegedly orchestrated by Algerian intelligence.

These incidents, combined with the reopening of the cocaine case, highlight deep fractures within Algeria’s leadership and raise questions about the president’s grip on power.

A challenge to Tebboune’s authority

The El Bouchi trial’s reemergence has cast a spotlight on the president’s leadership and his family’s alleged involvement in corruption. For many, the case symbolizes broader issues within Algeria’s political system, where power struggles and favoritism often overshadow governance.

As the country awaits further developments, the reopening of the El Bouchi trial could serve as a turning point, exposing the fragility of Algeria’s ruling elite and the growing challenges to President Tebboune’s authority.