Italian contracting giant Saipem has won its protracted legal battle in Algeria relating to alleged graft in the award of the GK3 gas pipeline engineering, procurement and construction contract 13 years ago.

The Court of Appeal of Algiers on Monday rejected the Algerian Treasury’s claim for damages in the historic so-called ‘Sonatrach 1’ trial, ongoing since 2010, that relates to Saipem Contracting Algerie’s approximate $580 million EPC contract for GK3.

The Court of Appeal also rules the order for the seizure of the contractor’s current accounts to the amount of €63.2