Algeria arrests media group chief on ‘corruption’ charges
February 14, 2020, 10:27 am

Algeria arrests media group chief on ‘corruption’ charges

An Ennahar TV News anchorwoman is seen at a TV news studio in Algier. (File photo Reuters)

The powerful head of Algerian private media group Ennahar, Anis Rahmani, has been arrested on corruption and other charges, a security source said Thursday.

Rahmani - who is said to be close to former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika - “was arrested yesterday for corruption and is in police custody,” the source told AFP.

The 49-year-old journalist, whose real name is Mohamed Mokadem, has been accused of offenses including “breach of exchange regulations,” “blackmail to gain undue advantage” and “holding foreign bank accounts,” according to several Algerian private media outlets.

The Ennahar group confirmed Rahmani’s arrest in a statement published on its website on Thursday but denied the charges reportedly against him.

“He was arrested by plain-clothes agents who took him to the Bab Edjedid gendarmerie squad in Algiers, the statement said.

“No charge has yet been brought against Anis Rahmani, who has not appeared before the court.”

On Monday, a court in the capital Algiers ordered Ennahar TV to pay a fine to the former head of the Algerian Olympic delegation to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Amar Brahma, and his family, for “defamation.”

Established in 2012, Ennahar TV broadcasts nationwide and claims to be “the first news channel in Algeria.”

source: AFP

US offers to help coronavirus efforts in North Korea Trump sees ‘good chance’ for deal with Taliban by end of month

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”