UPDATE 1-Algeria's ex-industry minister detained over alleged graft -state TV

(Adds details, background)
ALGIERS, July 10 (Reuters) - Algeria's supreme court on
Wednesday placed former industry minister Youcef Yousfi in
custody over alleged corruption, state television reported.
Yousfi became the latest senior official to be detained in
anti-graft investigations since protests erupted earlier this
year demanding the prosecution of people seen by demonstrators
as corrupt, as well as the removal of the long-ruling elite.
Protesters and the military forced President Abdelaziz
Bouteflika to resign on April 2, ending his 20 years in power.
But protests have continued to press demands for the departure
of others in the old guard that has dominated the oil- and
gas-exporting country since independence from France in 1962.
Yousfi, who served as industry minister from August 2017 to
March 2019, is accused of "dissipation of public funds and
awarding illegal privileges", state television reported, without
providing details.
His legal representative was not immediately available for
comment.
The supreme court last month ordered the detention of other
senior officials including former prime ministers Ahmed Ouyahia
and Abdelmalek Sellal for "dissipation of public funds".
The military is now the main decision-maker, and its chief
of staff, Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah, has repeatedly
pledged to help the judiciary investigate corruption cases.
Protesters are now seeking the resignation of interim
president Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine
Bedoui, whom they see as close to Bouteflika.
The government has postponed a presidential election
previously planned for July 4, citing a lack of candidates. No
new date has been set for the vote.
Bensalah last week called on political parties and national
figures to take part in an "inclusive dialogue" to prepare for
elections, but some opposition leaders rejected the offer.