French journalist imprisoned in Algeria receives first consular visit

French journalist Christophe Gleizes received his first consular visit on May 11th after nearly a year of detention in Algeria, according to statements from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as reported by the left-wing French newspaper Liberation. 

The visit was conducted by the French Consul in Algiers, Bruno Clerc, and was authorised following a weekend meeting in Algiers between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces, Alice Rufo. RSF Director General Thibaut Bruttin confirmed that Gleizes remains in good health and high spirits.

Gleizes, 37, was arrested in May 2024 while reporting in the northeastern Kabylie region of Algeria. In early December, an appellate court sentenced him to seven years in prison on charges of “apology for terrorism.” The long-awaited consular breakthrough has raised hopes for his family, who view the visit as a sign of improving Franco-Algerian diplomatic relations and a potential step toward his release.

The journalist’s mother, Sylvie Godard, stated on TV5 Monde that the consul provided reassuring updates following the meeting. She noted that the family remains hopeful for positive developments regarding his return to France by the end of May. To facilitate a political resolution, Gleizes’ family confirmed last week that he withdrew his cassation appeal in March, a legal manoeuvre explicitly intended to clear the path for a potential presidential pardon from President Tebboune.

Gleizes’ case unfolds against a backdrop of deteriorating media freedom worldwide. As reported by Maghrebi Week on May 11th, global press freedom has hit an all-time low, with over half of all nations now categorised as “difficult” or “very serious.” RSF’s latest index highlights this decline, ranking Algeria 145th globally out of 180 countries. This is due to a judicial system that targets independent voices and laws restricting foreign funding. This hostile media environment extends across the Maghreb.

Maghrebi.org, Reporters Without Borders, Liberation.