Yousfi: Sonatrach will stand up in court to defend its interests

“The government gave very strict instructions to companies to defend its interests. Sonatrach may stand up in court to defend its interests in corruption cases which have been recently revealed in national and international media,” Yousfi told national daily Echaab.

“Justice opened an investigation into the case and we will take necessary measures when the investigation is over,” he added.“We are determined to fight corruption.”Earlier, Italy’s prosecutors put Eni head Paolo Scaroni under investigation in a probe into alleged bribes paid to win contracts in Algeria for Eni’s subsidy Saipem.

Ten days ago, Attorney General Belkacem Zaghmati said a judicial investigation was opened in Sonatrach’s recent case.The case has implications for Sonatrach's commercial relations with international oil and gas companies who have expressed concerns over increased security costs following the In Amenas hostage attack.