Algerian author sued over war claims

Tens of thousands have died in the civil war

By James Coomarasamy BBC correspondent in Paris

Former Algerian Defence Minister General Khaled Nezzer is hoping to restore the image of his country's armed forces in a Paris court this week.

General Nezzer has brought a case of defamation against Habib Souaidia, an ex-army officer whose book, The Dirty War 1992 - 2000, contains allegations about the conduct of Algerian troops in their fight against Islamic militants.

General Nezzar was questioned by French police over torture claims

The author, who used to be a sub-lieutenant in the Algerian army, said that soldiers disguised as rebels had massacred civilians, and frequently tortured rebels to death.

He said he had personally witnessed about 100 such killings.

Human rights groups have long suspected the Algerian army was implicated in the massacres, but the book's account is unprecedented first hand evidence.

Bloody conflict

General Nezzer was behind the cancellation of Algeria's 1992 election, which an Islamic fundamentalist party looked set to win.

This was the event that sparked off the decade-long civil conflict, which has seen the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Algeria.

General Nezzer has brought the defamation case not against the book itself but against similar allegations made by the author on a French television show.

The general has said he wants to set the record straight.

He has been personally accused of torture by Algerians living in France and was questioned by French police earlier this year.