Algeria's Prosecutor Requests 10-Year Prison Sentence Against Boualem Sansal
Rabat – A public prosecutor in Algeria has requested a 10-year prison sentence against French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.
AFP quoted the prosecutor, who is demanding a '10 years in prison and a fine of one million [Algerian] dinars.'
The Court of Appeal will issue its verdict on the appeal case on July 1.
An Algerian court initially sentenced Sansal to five years in prison in March.
Police in Algeria arrested the author upon arrival in Algiers on November 16 last year. He was charged of undermining the country's territorial integrity.
The arrest came after he made remarks in an interview that France unfairly ceded Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial era.
Sansal appealed the court sentence, and his lawyer is not ruling out the possibility of a pardon.
'Under Article 91 of the Algerian Constitution, an appeal does not stand in the way of a presidential pardon,' he said. He also suggested that if a humanitarian release became an option, he would advise Sansal to withdraw the appeal.
The arrest came amid fragile relations and escalating tensions between Algiers and Paris.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized Algeria for imprisoning the renowned author, denouncing the move as a 'disgrace.'
Speaking before French ambassadors at the Élysée, Macron accused the Algerian authorities of denying the gravely ill author access to medical care.
'Algeria dishonors itself by preventing a gravely ill man from receiving proper care,' Macron stated.
Among the factors that led to the tensions are France's decision to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
One of the factors is also Algeria's reluctance to receive its nationals subjected to a deportation order from Paris. Tags: algeria boualem sansalBoualem Sansal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Maroc
2 hours ago
- Maroc
UNHCR Official Lauds Morocco's Humanist, Solidarity-Based Approach to Refugee Rights
The Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Morocco, François Reybet-Degat, praised on Friday in Rabat Morocco's commitment to refugee rights, highlighting the Kingdom's humanist and solidarity-based approach in this area. Thanks to this approach, enshrined in the National Immigration and Asylum Strategy (NIAS) launched in 2013, Morocco has become both a transit and host country for asylum seekers, currently hosting 18,463 refugees and asylum seekers from more than 60 countries, noted Reybet-Degat during a press conference in Rabat held on the occasion of World Refugee Day. The Kingdom has established itself as a key player in managing migration flows in Africa and beyond, he emphasized, adding that the UNHCR works closely with Moroccan authorities to integrate refugees and asylum seekers into national education, healthcare, and employment systems. "Morocco embodies a tradition of hospitality and openness," stated the official, commending the efforts made to ensure the inclusion of refugees in national initiatives. On a global scale, Reybet-Degat noted that the number of forcibly displaced people has increased for the 13th consecutive year, reaching a record 123 million people, including 43 million refugees. This figure was 41 million in 2010 and has nearly tripled in just a decade, he pointed out. MAP: 20 June 2025
Morocco World
3 hours ago
- Morocco World
ASEAN Secretary-General Expresses ‘Indefectible' Support for Morocco's Sovereignty
Marrakech – The Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, expressed his 'indefectible' support for Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity during his visit to Rabat on Tuesday. This position was documented in a joint statement released after his meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. During their meeting, both officials reaffirmed 'their unwavering support for the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of UN member states, including ASEAN member states and Morocco, as well as non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful settlement of disputes.' Kao, who is making his first visit to Morocco and Africa, also praised the leadership of King Mohammed VI for promoting the North African country's socio-economic development and voiced appreciation for the monarch's initiatives for the continent. He specifically noted with admiration the Atlantic initiatives launched by the Moroccan sovereign, including the Initiative to provide Atlantic Ocean access to Sahel states, the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline, and the Initiative of Atlantic African States. In this regard, Morocco's Dakhla Atlantic Port project, scheduled to be operational by 2029, aims to provide the landlocked countries with improved maritime access to global markets and serves as a cornerstone of this strategy. As part of the same vision, the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline is a proposed $25 billion project to transport natural gas from Nigeria to Morocco and potentially onward to Europe. Spanning over 6,000 kilometers and connecting 13 countries along the Atlantic coast, the pipeline is expected to supply energy to approximately 400 million people across West Africa. The ASEAN Secretary-General commended Morocco's major socio-economic and infrastructure advances and successful reforms. He pointed out that 'Morocco's numerous assets make it an attractive platform for trade and investment from ASEAN governments and business communities.' Bourita stressed that strengthening relations between Rabat and ASEAN is part of King Mohammed VI's strategic vision to diversify Morocco's partners and promote strong, supportive South-South cooperation. He reiterated Morocco's readiness to support and collaborate with ASEAN in numerous sectors through a win-win approach, both with the organization and all its member states. The Foreign Minister thanked Kao and, through him, the member states of ASEAN, for their support of Morocco's obtaining sectoral dialogue partner status with ASEAN in September 2023. Both officials welcomed the second meeting of the ASEAN-Morocco Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (AM-JSCC) held in Jakarta on November 27, 2024, with the third session scheduled for November 2025. They drew attention to the importance of training programs offered by the Moroccan Institute for Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED) to diplomats from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat. They also recognized the fruitful cooperation programs between ASEAN member states and Morocco through the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) for ASEAN member states and African countries. Kao and Bourita agreed that Morocco offers an important gateway to Africa for ASEAN member states, while ASEAN represents a real opportunity for Morocco to develop and open up to increased economic cooperation with the region in particular and with Asia as a whole. The ASEAN Secretary-General is making a working visit to Morocco from June 24 to 26 at Bourita's invitation. Founded in 1967, the regional organization comprises 10 Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei-Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Morocco World
4 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco and France Sign Joint Security Action Plan, Hammouchi Receives Legion of Honor
Marrakech – Morocco's Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), Abdellatif Hammouchi, signed a joint action plan with his French counterpart Louis Laugier on Tuesday in Rabat. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between Morocco's security services and France's National Police in combating transnational organized crime. The signing took place during Laugier's official visit to Morocco, where he was accompanied by the French Ambassador to Rabat, Christophe Lecourtier, and a high-level security delegation including several directors from French National Police central directorates. According to a statement from the DGSN-DGST, this plan 'establishes a common roadmap in the field of combating transnational organized crime between the two brotherly countries.' The agreement is vital as it materializes the exceptional cooperation mechanisms that have existed for decades between Rabat and Paris' security services. The plan aims to develop and expand areas of cooperation, including the possibility of creating joint working groups to address various challenges related to organized crime. This includes tracking fugitives and internationally wanted persons. The agreement also opens promising prospects for security cooperation and mutual assistance between police services on both sides of the Mediterranean. It specifically focuses on training, information exchange, technical assistance, and operational cooperation. During the meeting, the French National Police Director General expressed his deep gratitude for the role played by Morocco's security services in supporting French security efforts. He notably pointed to Morocco's assistance in combating terrorist threats, pursuing and arresting individuals wanted by the French judiciary in organized crime cases, and securing the Olympic Games held in Paris. Laugier also expressed France's willingness to provide all possible support to assist Moroccan police with security protocols for international sporting events, as Morocco is just months away from hosting AFCON 2025 and preparing for the 2030 World Cup. Hammouchi receives France's highest honor As part of the visit, French Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier presented Hammouchi with the medal and certificate of the Legion of Honor with the rank of Officer, awarded by French authorities. As part of the visit, French Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier presented Hammouchi with the medal and certificate of the Legion of Honor with the rank of Officer, awarded by French authorities. The French delegation stressed that awarding Hammouchi France's highest honor recognizes the leading role of Morocco's security services in international efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime. This recognition comes just weeks after Interpol elected Morocco as Vice Chair of Interpol's Global Cybercrime Expert Group in early June. A significant majority of Interpol members also cast votes for Morocco to take on the role of Vice-President of Interpol for Africa during the 92nd Interpol General Assembly held in Glasgow last November. Interpol President Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi recently commended Morocco's security efforts during his visit to El Jadida in May, describing the country's security system as 'advanced, efficient, professional, and committed to respecting human rights.' Morocco is set to host the 93rd Interpol General Assembly in Marrakech later this year, having received the Interpol flag from Glasgow as the official handover. The intensive talks between Hammouchi and his French counterpart focused on evaluating bilateral cooperation in the security field and reviewing various issues of common interest. They also discussed new mechanisms to enhance mutual assistance between the two parties to ensure the highest levels of readiness in neutralizing various security risks and threats. This cooperation falls within the broader context of the strategic partnership King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron launched in October 2024. Just a day earlier, on Monday, Hammouchi noted DGSN's commitment to supporting efforts against crimes affecting forest resources. Speaking at a study day in Kenitra, he addressed the importance of using modern scientific and technological means in criminal investigations and strengthening personnel capabilities through specialized training programs. Tags: Abdellatif HammouchiDGSN-dgstMorocco and France
