Algeria sought on Wednesday to squash speculation about the whereabouts of one of the country's top Islamic militants who is accused of having ties to al Qaeda, saying he was under interrogation. Amari Saifi, deputy head of an Algerian al Qaeda-aligned rebel movement, was sentenced to life in prison last week for terrorism-related crimes but did not appear in court. Local media questioned whether he was really in detention after the Interior Ministry announced in October last year his extradition from Libya. He has not been shown in public. "Some investigations are taking place and they have yet to be finished. He was not personally and physically present during the trial, but that did not hamper the functioning of the justice system," Interior Minister Noureddine Zerhouni told state radio.Experts say Saifi built up a base in the inhospitable desert, partly through the control of contraband. He is also believed to have recruited followers in neighbouring countries. Saifi, also known as Abderrezak el Para, was first captured by Chadian rebels after fleeing neighbouring countries and later handed over to Libyan authorities under unclear circumstances. Security experts have said Saifi is believed to have a wealth of information on rebel activities.
| ... which is currently being gouged out of him... |