Two former prime ministers of Algeria sentenced to prison

A court in Algeria has convicted two former prime ministers of the country following a protracted probe into corruption.

Ahmed Oyahija was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Abdelmalek Selalal to 12 years, the BBC writes.

They were accused of abuse of official authority in a car embezzlement scandal.

This is the first time since Algeria was independent from France in 1962 that a former prime minister faces trial.

Both were allies of multi-year-old President Abdelziz Bouteflika, who resigned amid mass protests in April, Periscope follows.

Protesters have continued to call for sweeping reforms, accusing the ruling party leaders of corruption ahead of presidential elections.