French-Algerian writer facing ten years in prison
Prosecuters in Algeria are seeking a ten year prison sentence for outspoken French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.
As reported by The Arab Weekly on March 22nd, Sansal has been charged with “assailing national unity, insulting a constitutional body, practices of a nature likely to harm the national economy and possession of videos and publications threatening the security and stability of the country.”
The arrest was made following an interview with Frontieres, a far-right French media outlet, in which Sansal claimed that France had reduced Moroccan territory in order to benefit Algeria during its period of colonisation.
The arrest will only further exacerbate tensions between France and Algeria which have been put under great strain since France decided to recognise Morocco’s claims to autonomy over the Western Saharan region, as reported by Maghrebi on February 27th.
Sansol, who is of Algerian origin but is now a naturalised French citizen, has been accused of making statements that undermine Algeria’s territorial integrity and threaten their stance on the Western Saharan region.
Sansol has denied any intention of attacking or undermining Algeria, speaking at a court in Algiers he said that he had merely “expressed an opinion like any Algerian citizen” going on to add that he is an Algerian who “loves his country”.
A French lawyer who is representing his case has claimed that he has been prevented access to proper lawyers or medical care since his arrest, with French President Emmanuel Macron also speaking out on the health of Sansal.
He was arrested in November 2024 on arrival at Algiers airport and he is expected to stand trial on March 27th
Macron told reporters that he hoped for a “swift resolution” and that the French-Algerian writer “could regain his freedom”.
Macron went on to describe him as a great writer and that he trusted that Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune would realise the case against Sansal has little merit.
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