Algeria's former finance minister Karim Djoudi appeared before the Supreme Court to face questions about corruption accusations, state television has reported.

He has not been charged but joins a series of senior figures associated with former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to face investigations since protests broke out this year demanding the departure of the ruling elite and prosecution of former officials linked to Bouteflika.

State television gave no details on Djoudi's case and his lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

His hearing on Sunday came days after the same court ordered the detention of ex-prime ministers Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek Sellal, as well as former trade minister Amara Benyounes for "dissipation of public funds and awarding illegal privileges".

The army is now the main player in Algerian politics after Bouteflika stepped down two months ago and its chief of staff Ahmed Gaed Salah has urged the judiciary to speed up the prosecution of people suspected of involvement in corruption cases.

Djoudi served as finance minister under Ouyahia from June 2007 to May 2014 when he resigned on health grounds before being named Bouteflika's adviser for the past two years.