Algeria opens investigation into rioting in Ghardaia

Algeria's Interim Prime Minister Youcef Yousfi said Saturday night his government will probe the recent deadly clashes in the central city of Ghardaia, some 600 k.m. south of Algiers. During an inspection tour of the city, he said the government will take the appropriate measures to put an end to the painful events in the city, Algeria Press Service (APS) reported. Yousfi led a delegation made up of Minister of Interior and Local Authorities Tayeb Belaiz, the commander of National Gendarmerie, Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Bousteila, and a representative of the director general of national police. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and talked to imams and notables in Ghardaia. Yousfi added that several ministers will start field visits to the area as of next week to determine the priorities of local development. Earlier today, General Directorate of National Police (DGSN) dispatched a group of officers to investigate the death of three residents of Ghardaia. "Upon receiving an alert on Saturday, the police mobilized its services and dispatched a group of investigating officers accompanied by members of a group of technical and scientific police for a determination of death at the local hospital while informing the prosecutor in charge of the investigation," the APS cited a DGSN statement as saying. "Pending the preliminary findings of the medical examiner, policemen are still investigating to determine the cause of death," DGSN's Director of communication and public relations, Divisional Commissioner Djilali Boudalia said. "Research and investigation brigades (BRI) continue to interview witnesses to shed light on the causes of these deaths," he added.