Rafik Khalifa
Encyclopedia
Abdelmoumene Rafik Khalifa (born October 1, 1966) is an Algeria
n businessman living in London. He was condemned in Algeria to a life sentence, charged of criminal association, corruption, abuse of trust, and forgery. His trial was one of the largest in Algeria involving the embezzlement of more than $1 billion through a range of Khalifa-linked companies.
, he quickly created an empire which employed 14,000 people. He was in the luxury cars rental business, before founding Khalifa TV in France, Khalifa Airways
, and buying a private hotel in Cannes
which had belonged to the eccentric billionaire known as Môme Moineau.
Owner of three villas in Cannes, Rafik Khalifa wanted to create a ville nouvelle named "Algeria," triggering the attention of French media. He became close to the French show-business, getting to know Gérard Depardieu
and Catherine Deneuve
. However, in 2003, a judicial liquidation of his endebted firm was started. Khalifa then used shady methods to save his assets. An investigation revealed the disappearance of 50 million euros in the Khalifa Bank of Algiers. Khalifa was then suspected of having spent the money of personalities close to the Algerian President Bouteflika. 17 judicial investigations were opened against him, who took refuge in London in 2003. The Khalifa Bank was closed on orders of Bouteflika.
Khalifa like Bouteflika belong to the same unchanged political regime since 1962.
, to a life sentence, charged of criminal association, corruption, abuse of trust, and forgery.
A few days earlier, on March 5, 2007, the French justice had also issued a European arrest warrant
against him. The Court of Nanterre
had opened an investigation against Khalifa in 2003, charged of fraudulous bankruptcy
, abuse of social assets (abus de bien sociaux; i.e. corruption) and money-laundering.
London authorized Khalifa's extradition
in the end of August 2007. Algeria has also issued an international arrest warrant against him.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n businessman living in London. He was condemned in Algeria to a life sentence, charged of criminal association, corruption, abuse of trust, and forgery. His trial was one of the largest in Algeria involving the embezzlement of more than $1 billion through a range of Khalifa-linked companies.
Career
Rafik is the son of Laroussi Khelifa a former minister. He started his career as a pharmacist. In 1998 He founded El Khalifa Bank, which managed the interests of small private shareholders and institutional shareholders related to the Algerian government. Continuing his activities in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, he quickly created an empire which employed 14,000 people. He was in the luxury cars rental business, before founding Khalifa TV in France, Khalifa Airways
Khalifa Airways
Khalifa Airways was a passenger and cargo airline based in Algiers, Algeria which was founded in June 1999 by Rafik Khalifa and ceased flying in 2003.- History :...
, and buying a private hotel in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
which had belonged to the eccentric billionaire known as Môme Moineau.
Owner of three villas in Cannes, Rafik Khalifa wanted to create a ville nouvelle named "Algeria," triggering the attention of French media. He became close to the French show-business, getting to know Gérard Depardieu
Gérard Depardieu
Gérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu is a French actor and filmmaker. He is a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite and has twice won the César Award for Best Actor...
and Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve
Catherine Deneuve is a French actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of aloof and mysterious beauties in films such as Repulsion and Belle de jour . Deneuve was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in Indochine; she also won César Awards for that...
. However, in 2003, a judicial liquidation of his endebted firm was started. Khalifa then used shady methods to save his assets. An investigation revealed the disappearance of 50 million euros in the Khalifa Bank of Algiers. Khalifa was then suspected of having spent the money of personalities close to the Algerian President Bouteflika. 17 judicial investigations were opened against him, who took refuge in London in 2003. The Khalifa Bank was closed on orders of Bouteflika.
Khalifa like Bouteflika belong to the same unchanged political regime since 1962.
Trials
His trial involved more than 100 defendants and 200 witnesses. On 22 March 2007, he was condemned in Algeria, in absentiaIn absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
, to a life sentence, charged of criminal association, corruption, abuse of trust, and forgery.
A few days earlier, on March 5, 2007, the French justice had also issued a European arrest warrant
European Arrest Warrant
The European Arrest Warrant is an arrest warrant valid throughout all member states of the European Union . Once issued by a member state, it requires the receiving member state to arrest and transfer a criminal suspect or sentenced person to the issuing state so that the person can be put on...
against him. The Court of Nanterre
Nanterre
Nanterre is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located west of the center of Paris.Nanterre is the capital of the Hauts-de-Seine department as well as the seat of the Arrondissement of Nanterre....
had opened an investigation against Khalifa in 2003, charged of fraudulous bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
, abuse of social assets (abus de bien sociaux; i.e. corruption) and money-laundering.
London authorized Khalifa's extradition
Extradition
Extradition is the official process whereby one nation or state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another nation or state. Between nation states, extradition is regulated by treaties...
in the end of August 2007. Algeria has also issued an international arrest warrant against him.