Known as “Madame Maya”, this businesswoman was posing as the hidden daughter of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The Algiers court sentenced her to 12 years in prison, a fine and the seizure of her property for money laundering, influence peddling, squandering of public funds and illicit transfer of foreign currency abroad.
“Madame Maya”, whose real name is Zoulikha Nachinache, has been a very influential woman in Algeria for many years. The influence was due to a rumour that she is the daughter of Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
During her trial, the accused rather evokes a “ fusional ” friendship between her father, now deceased, with the former head of state and admits having obtained advantages for her investment projects through him.
The local media attribute a vast fortune to her. In July 2019, three months after the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, chased by the street, a search was carried out at Madame Maya’s home in a state residence in the upscale suburb of Algiers. The equivalent of 800,000 euros in dinars, as well as 270,000 euros, 30,000 dollars and 17 kilos of gold jewellery are then seized.
Her conviction extends the long list of personalities imprisoned for corruption since the departure of the former president one and a half year ago. In addition to her two daughters, three personalities are convicted in the same trial: two former ministers, and the former and powerful boss of the police.
