Algiers, October 29, 2025 – A sweeping reform of Algeria’s criminal procedure law is set to significantly enhance the authority of the judiciary and streamline the administration of justice, according to Attorney General Mohamed El-Kemal Ben Boudaoudiaf.
Speaking at a seminar entitled ‘The New Criminal Procedure Law: Between Legislative Revolution and Implementation Challenges,’ Ben Boudaoudiaf emphasized that Law 25-14 embodies the state’s commitment to a more effective and scientifically grounded criminal justice policy. He highlighted its focus on addressing modern crime, including organized crime, transnational offenses, and economic and digital crimes.
A key aspect of the new law involves restrictions on initiating legal proceedings against public managers in state-owned enterprises. Such actions will now require a prior complaint from the company’s social bodies or consultation with the supervisory authority. The law also mandates that investigations and prosecutions can only be initiated based on credible reports, with the potential for consulting the National Council of Public Procurement.
The reforms extend the powers of judicial police officers, granting them national jurisdiction in certain major crimes and expanding the categories of officers covered. Furthermore, the legislation introduces modern procedural mechanisms such as immediate notification systems and pre-emptive plea agreements to expedite case resolution.
Alternatives to prosecution, such as warnings and criminal mediation, have also been broadened, paving the way for a more restorative and equitable justice system. The law strengthens asset seizure and confiscation mechanisms and establishes a national agency, under judicial supervision, to manage frozen and confiscated assets.
Ben Boudaoudiaf stressed that these reforms necessitate a recalibration of the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s legal and operational tools to align with the new legal framework. Prosecution is no longer a routine process but a meticulous undertaking requiring informed decision-making and judicious exercise of discretionary power.
The introduction of electronic evidence and digital notifications necessitates continuous training and updated practices. Ben Boudaoudiaf called for the cultivation of a new judicial culture founded on responsibility, specialization, transparency, and respect for the law.
