Controversial Algerian General dies aged 86

General Khaled Nezzar – who served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army and later as Minister of Defense – has died according to Algerian media. Khaled became notorious for his activity during the “black decade” when thousands of Algerians died in the country’s civil war.  In 2023, Swiss prosecutors charged him with crimes against humanity in connection with the use of torture during the conflict, which started in 1992 when the Algerian military intervened to stop an Islamist government from taking power. As commander of Algeria’s ground forces, Nezzar was also responsible for the use of live ammunition against anti-government protestors in 1988 which left hundreds dead.