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Algeria's former justice minister has been placed in preventative detention, on allegations of abuse of power, according to state media on Thursday, following a clampdown on politicians linked to the formed president.

Tayeb Louh was one of many prominent politicians linked to former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's regime who have been detained or questioned regarding alleged corruption.

Bouteflika resigned in April following mass protests against his rule and a number of people linked to the former president have been detained including two former prime ministers, nine cabinet ministers, a former police chief and a dozen key businessmen.

A magistrate on Thursday ordered Louh to be placed under preventive detention, according to state television channel A3.

National news agency APS said he is under investigation for several alleged offences, including "abuse of power and obstructing justice".

In July, an investigation into Louh concerning issues "related to corruption" was opened by Algiers prosecution office.

Louh, 68, was labour minister from 2002 to 2013 and then justice minister until the cabinet resigned in March amid anti-government protests.

Protesters fear the arrests are more the result of internal score settling post-Bouteflika rather than an honest attempt to clean up Algerian politics.