Spanish Consulate in Algiers rocked by illegal currency trafficking investigation

The Spanish police investigation into corruption at the consulate in Algiers has expanded to include Maqua Belkacemi, a secretary who allegedly funneled nearly 35,000 euros from Spain to Algeria to exchange them on the black market. According to court records, she carried cash amounts below the mandatory reporting threshold to bypass customs. Belkacemi, who has served at the consulate for nearly ten years, denies involvement in the broader criminal network linked to visa fraud and money laundering. As investigators scrutinize the activities of various embassy staff, including property purchases and bribery allegations, the accused is fighting to unfreeze her bank accounts and has requested that multiple former consuls be called to testify. The ongoing scandal has strained diplomatic operations during a period of significant growth in bilateral trade.