**Anti-corruption officials have begun investigating the chief executive of Algeria’s state-owned energy giant Sonatrach, reports say.**Mohamed Meziane has reportedly been suspended amid the allegations and other company officials questioned.
El Watan newspaper said the claims concerned company tenders for consultancy and security contracts.
Neither the Energy Ministry nor the firm, a leading supplier of gas to Europe, have commented on the reports.
Industry sources told journalists that Sonatrach had appointed Vice-President Abdelhafid Feghouli as a stand-in chief executive.
One of the company’s former bosses told Reuters news agency the investigation was a “real earthquake”.
“There is a risk that its reputation will be affected,” said Abdelmajid Attar.
“But regarding the business, I’m not expecting any major delays. Never forget that Sonatrach is Algeria’s main source of income,” he said.
Gas exports make up almost one-third of Algeria’s GDP.