Algeria's former industry minister, Ali Aoun, was sentenced on Monday to five years in prison after being convicted of corruption, local media reported.

Prosecutors had sought a 12-year sentence, according to the reports.

Algerian media said the case centred on the irregular sales of ferrous and non-ferrous metal waste in violation of public asset management rules.

Aoun was minister for industry between 2022 and 2024.

Aoun's son also convicted

Several other officials were also convicted, though some were acquitted due to lack of evidence, the reports said.

Also convicted was his son, Mehdi Aoun, who was handed a six-year prison term as part of the same case.

Businessman Abdelnour Abdelmoula, who reports said was the main defendant, received 10 years in prison.

The convictions also came as part of an ongoing anti-corruption drive launched by Algeria since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune came to power in 2019.

Tebboune's campaign against corruption has targeted senior officials, including from the era of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.