An Algerian court on Tuesday sentenced two former Prime Ministers to lengthy jail terms amid a huge corruption investigation.

Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal were sentenced to 15 years and 12 years respectively after they were found guilty of engaging in graft.

The two were accused of abusing authority in a car manufacturing embezzlement scandal that rocked the North African nation in 2014.

Their trial was the first time Algeria has experienced such a high-profile trial since it gained independence from France in 1962.

Ouyahia and Sellal were allies of long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who resigned amid mass protests in April.

In total, 19 people were put on trial for various charges including money laundering, abuse of office, and granting undue privileges in the vehicle assembly industry.

One serving cabinet minister, Abdesalem Bouchoureb was sentenced to 20 years in prison in absentia.

The convicted men have 10 days to appeal against the sentence.

Source: BBC