Boualem Sansal was placed under arrest warrant in Algeria: this is what his lawyer said in a press release shared this Wednesday, November 27. The Franco-Algerian writer, arrested in Algiers in mid-November, was questioned by the anti-terrorism prosecution. On the Algerian side, neither the justice system nor the authorities have made any comments.
2 mins
“ If there must be an investigation, this in no way justifies the extension of the detention of Boualem Sansal », writes in a press release Master Zimeray, the lawyer of the Franco-Algerian writer arrested on Saturday November 16. He specifies that his client was interviewed by the anti-terrorism prosecution and that he is placed under arrest warrant, under article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, which punishes attacks on state security.
Also readAlgeria: authorities confirm the arrest of writer Boualem Sansal
There has been no official confirmation in Algeria at this stage on this hearing, but according to our information, the legal period of police custody ends this Wednesday, November 27. “ The deprivation of liberty of an 80-year-old writer because of his writings is a serious act “, observed the writer’s lawyer, adding: “ Whatever the wounds invoked and the sensitivities offended, they are inseparable from the very idea of freedom, dearly won in Algeria; There is a clear disproportion here, the extent of which the authors probably did not appreciate. »
The affair resonates all the way to the French Assembly
Boualem Sansal, very critical of the Algerian regime, was arrested in mid-November upon his arrival at Algiers airport, which was confirmed by the Algerian press agency APS this Friday, mentioning the “ revisionist delirium » of the writer. The Agency gave precise information on what the writer is accused of being “ in full revisionist delirium “. The APS added: France defends a Holocaust denier, who calls into question the existence, independence, history, sovereignty and borders of Algeria “.
The press agency refers to statements made by Sansal last October to a French media outlet on what he called the belonging of part of western Algeria to Morocco. He notably cited the city of Oran. Statements that provoked anger in Algeria.
The affair, which is causing a lot of noise in France, was raised in the National Assembly this Tuesday: the delegate minister responsible forFrench from abroad was asked by a far-right MP about the possibility of sanctioning Algerian leaders.
“ At this stage, I cannot tell you more. Diplomacy needs discretion to act », replied Sophie Primas. “ State services are fully mobilized to monitor the situation of our compatriot and enable him to benefit from the consular protection provided for by law. “, the minister further underlined.
Also readThe arrest of the writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria: “A message of toughening the regime perfectly assumed”