Latest news with #Gleizes
Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
French Sports Journalist Sentenced to Seven Years in Algeria
Rabat – An Algerian court has sentenced French journalist Christophe Gleizesto seven years in prison, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Algerian authorities arrested the 36-year-old freelance journalist, who writes for So Foot and Society magazines, in May 2024 while working on a story about an Algerian football club. RSF and the journalist's employer, So Press, described the verdict as 'unjust' and confirmed that they will file an appeal today. Converging reports said Gleizes wasy arrested in Tizi Ouzou on May 28, 2024, and placed under judicial supervision for over a year. The charges against him include entering the country with a tourist visa, 'apology for terrorism,' and 'possession of publications for propaganda purposes.' He was transferred directly to prison after being sentenced in a first-instance trial. RSF believes the charges are politically motivated. The organization says that the 'terrorism' accusation is linked to past contacts Gleizes had in 2015 and 2017 with the head of the football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK), who is also involved in the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (MAK). The organization says Algerian authorities labeled MAK a terrorist group in 2021;, years after Gleizes' early contacts. RSF added that Gleizes was transparent about a recent exchange with the same individual in 2024, which was solely to prepare his sports article. 'This sentence makes no sense,' said RSF's director general, Thibaut Bruttin. 'It only shows that today, nothing escapes politics, and the Algerian justice system missed an opportunity to act with fairness,' he added. Franck Annese, the founder of So Press, also urged political and diplomatic efforts to help Gleizes return home. 'Everything must be done to ensure justice is served, and that Christophe can reunite with his loved ones and colleagues,' he said. The case comes in the wake of a major diplomatic rift between France and Algeria. Tensions have grown since French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support in 2024 for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. Relations worsened further after the arrest of French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal in November. Tags: AlgeriaFrancejournalist
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Algeria sentences French football journalist to 7 years jail: RSF
PARIS: Algeria's authorities have sentenced a prominent French sports journalist specialised in African football to seven years in prison for 'glorifying terrorism', media rights campaigners RSF said Sunday, denouncing the verdict as 'nonsensical'. Christophe Gleizes, 36, who contributes to the So Foot magazine, was ordered by the court in Tizi Ouzou to be immediately incarcerated and will appeal the ruling on Monday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said. 'He has now been unjustly convicted and imprisoned for simply doing his job,' said the group. Legal sources told AFP Gleizes had been taken to Tizo Ouzou prison straight after his conviction. Once he had filed his appeal, the case would be heard in October at the earliest, they added. Gleizes, who has co-authored a book about football in Africa, was arrested in May 2024 and then placed under judicial control and prevented from leaving the country, RSF said. 'Christophe Gleizes has been subjected to an absurd judicial control order for over a year,' said Thibaut Bruttin, RSF's director general. 'His seven-year sentence is nonsensical and demonstrates one thing: today, nothing escapes politics,' he added. Gleizes travelled to the country and Tizi Ouzou to write about the local football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, named after Algeria's Kabylia region, home to the Berber Kabyle people. 'We are in shock,' his family said in a statement shared by RSF. 'There is no justification for Christophe having to endure this ordeal. How can one justify punishing a journalist for practising his profession with integrity?' 'In shock' As well as 'glorifying terrorism', he was convicted of 'possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests', RSF said. It said Gleizes had 2015 and 2017 been in touch with a Tizi Ouzou football figure prominent in the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), designated a 'terrorist' organisation by the Algerian authorities in 2021. 'The first two interactions between Christophe Gleizes and this individual occurred well before this designation,' it said, adding he had also not concealed contacting the person again in 2024 as part of preparations for the report. 'Imprisoned for doing his job!' said So Foot. 'His loved ones and editorial team are in shock,' it added. The jailing of Gleizes comes as a time of growing tension between Algeria and former colonial master France. Algeria arrested and jailed French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November on national security charges and has defied calls from President Emmanuel Macron for his release. Macron angered Algiers in July 2024 when he backed Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, where Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario Front.
France 24
a day ago
- Politics
- France 24
Algeria sentences French football journalist to seven years in jail
Algeria 's authorities have sentenced a prominent French sports journalist specialised in African football to seven years in prison for "glorifying terrorism", media rights campaigners RSF said Sunday, denouncing the verdict as "nonsensical". Christophe Gleizes, 36, who contributes to the So Foot magazine, was ordered by the court in Tizi Ouzou to be immediately incarcerated and will appeal the ruling on Monday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said. "He has now been unjustly convicted and imprisoned for simply doing his job," said the group. Gleizes, who has co-authored a book about football in Africa, was arrested in May 2024 and then placed under judicial control and was unable to leave the country, RSF said. "Christophe Gleizes has been subjected to an absurd judicial control order for over a year," said Thibaut Bruttin, RSF's director general. "His seven-year sentence is nonsensical and demonstrates one thing: today, nothing escapes politics," he added. Gleizes travelled to the country and Tizi Ouzou to write about the local football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, named after Algeria's Kabylia region, home to the Berber Kabyle people. "We are in shock," his family said in a statement shared by RSF. "There is no justification for Christophe having to endure this ordeal. How can one justify punishing a journalist for practising his profession with integrity?" 'In shock' As well as "glorifying terrorism", he was convicted of "possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests", RSF said. It said Gleizes had 2015 and 2017 been in touch with a Tizi Ouzou football figure prominent in the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), designated a "terrorist" organisation by the Algerian authorities in 2021. "The first two interactions between Christophe Gleizes and this individual occurred well before this designation," it said adding he had also not concealed contacting the person again in 2024 as part of preparations for the report. "Imprisoned for doing his job!" said So Foot. "His loved ones and editorial team are in shock," it added. The jailing of Gleizes comes at a time of growing tension between Algeria and former colonial master France. Algeria arrested and jailed French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November on national security charges and has defied calls from President Emmanuel Macron for his release. Macron angered Algiers in July 2024 when he backed Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, where Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario Front.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Algeria sentences French football journalist to 7 years jail: RSF
Algeria's authorities have sentenced a prominent French sports journalist specialised in African football to seven years in prison for "glorifying terrorism", media rights campaigners RSF said Sunday, denouncing the verdict as "nonsensical". HT Image Christophe Gleizes, 36, who contributes to the So Foot magazine, was ordered by the court in Tizi Ouzou to be immediately incarcerated and will appeal the ruling on Monday, Reporters Without Borders said. "He has now been unjustly convicted and imprisoned for simply doing his job," said the group. Gleizes, who has co-authored a book about football in Africa, was arrested in May 2024 and then placed under judicial control and was unable to leave the country, RSF said. "Christophe Gleizes has been subjected to an absurd judicial control order for over a year," said Thibaut Bruttin, RSF's director general. "His seven-year sentence is nonsensical and demonstrates one thing: today, nothing escapes politics," he added. Gleizes travelled to the country and Tizi Ouzou to write about the local football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, named after Algeria's Kabylia region, home to the Berber Kabyle people. "We are in shock," his family said in a statement shared by RSF. "There is no justification for Christophe having to endure this ordeal. How can one justify punishing a journalist for practising his profession with integrity?" As well as "glorifying terrorism", he was convicted of "possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests", RSF said. It said Gleizes had 2015 and 2017 been in touch with a Tizi Ouzou football figure prominent in the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie , designated a "terrorist" organisation by the Algerian authorities in 2021. "The first two interactions between Christophe Gleizes and this individual occurred well before this designation," it said adding he had also not concealed contacting the person again in 2024 as part of preparations for the report. "Imprisoned for doing his job!" said So Foot. "His loved ones and editorial team are in shock," it added. The jailing of Gleizes comes as a time of growing tension between Algeria and former colonial master France. Algeria arrested and jailed French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November on national security charges and has defied calls from President Emmanuel Macron for his release. Macron angered Algiers in July 2024 when he backed Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, where Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario Front. pr-sjw/jj This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
