Bellat Case Sparks Outcry: Zebdi Denounces Blackmail Campaigns Undermining Algerian Products

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

President of the Algerian Organization for Consumer Protection Condemns the Weaponization of Social Media and Baseless Criticism in the Wake of the Bellat Group Controversy

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Algiers, Algeria– Friday, July 18, 2025 | In the wake of a social media uproar surrounding a Bellat Group product, Mustapha Zebdi, President of the Algerian Organization for Consumer Protection, issued a powerful statement on Friday in an exclusive call with Dzair Tube, warning against what he described as an alarming rise in “blackmail-driven criticism” of national products.

Zebdi expressed deep concern over what he termed the growing phenomenon of individuals exploiting the visibility of social media platforms to launch unjustified attacks on Algerian-made goods, often with ulterior motives such as personal gain, extortion, or fleeting popularity. “Some people are now criticizing national products not out of genuine concern, but for buzz, blackmail, or undisclosed personal objectives,” Zebdi said firmly.

While acknowledging that certain Algerian products may suffer from quality lapses or regulatory issues, Zebdi clarified that his organization consistently intervenes in a constructive and legal manner to address such cases without causing reputational harm. “We do not deny that defects exist in various sectors, but our intervention is responsible and measured. Our goal is not to sabotage any brand but to correct the course,” he emphasized.

As a concrete example of effective intervention, Zebdi cited a recent case that took place just a day before the interview. The organization obtained a formal commitment from a major economic operator to withdraw two defective batches of their product—an operation that, according to Zebdi, was executed “quietly, responsibly, and without chaos.”

Zebdi condemned the emergence of what he called “pseudo-experts” who circulate inflammatory content online without scientific or laboratory evidence. “Let them bring us the results of their so-called laboratory tests. We are ready to act against any product that harms Algerian consumers. But this trend of creating videos and fabricating claims as a tool of extortion must stop,” he stated.

The president sharply criticized individuals who  demand bribes in exchange for silence or praise. “We are now dealing with a new breed of extortionists. If you don’t pay, they slander your product. If you pay more, they go silent. Pay even more, and they promote you. This violates both national law and every ethical norm our society is built on.”

Zebdi reaffirmed his staunch support for locally-made products but stressed that such support is conditional on safety and compliance. “We stand by national products—but only when they are proven safe by laboratories and the competent public authorities. No one is above the law, and no voice should speak without evidence.”

To counter this rising tide of defamation and to shield Algerian industry from both internal and external destabilizing actors, Zebdi revealed that his organization has recently launched a National Committee for the Promotion and Protection of National Products. The committee aims to uphold the integrity of Algerian manufacturing and ensure that any critique is evidence-based, not agenda-driven.

“We will not shield any product tainted by credible doubts,” he concluded. “But suspicion must be based on facts, not on coins and clicks. Personal gain must never come at the expense of our national economy or consumer trust.”

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