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Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
French writer jailed in Algeria won't appeal, still hopeful of pardon: supporters
French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal will not appeal his five-year prison sentence to Algeria's supreme court, said sources close to the author on Saturday, saying they remain hopeful for a pardon. The 80-year-old dual national writer was sentenced to five years behind bars on March 27 on charges related to undermining Algeria's territorial integrity over comments made to a French media outlet. "According to our information, he will not appeal to the supreme court," the president of the author's support committee, Noelle Lenoir, told broadcaster France Inter on Saturday. "Moreover, given the state of the justice system in has no chance of having his offence reclassified on appeal," the former European affairs minister said. "This means that the sentence is final." Sources close to Sansal told AFP that the writer had "given up his right to appeal". His French lawyer, Pierre Cornut-Gentille, declined to comment when contacted by AFP. France's prime minister Francois Bayrou said earlier this week that he hoped Algeria would pardon the author, whose family has highlighted his treatment for prostate cancer. But Sansal was not among the thousands pardoned by Algeria's president on Friday, the eve of the country's independence day. "We believe he will be released. It is impossible for Algeria to take responsibility for his death in prison," Lenoir said, adding she was "remaining hopeful". A prize-winning figure in North African modern francophone literature, Sansal is known for his criticism of Algerian authorities as well as of Islamists. The case against him arose after he told the far-right outlet Frontieres that France had unjustly transferred Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial period from 1830 to 1962 -- a claim Algeria views as a challenge to its sovereignty and that aligns with longstanding Moroccan territorial assertions. Sansal was detained in November 2024 upon arrival at Algiers airport. On March 27, a court in Dar El Beida sentenced him to a five-year prison term and fined him 500,000 Algerian dinars ($3,730). Appearing in court without legal counsel on June 24, Sansal said the case against him "makes no sense" as "the Algerian constitution guarantees freedom of expression and conscience". The writer's conviction has further strained tense France-Algeria relations, which have been complicated by issues such as migration and France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. dax-cco/ekf/yad
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
French writer jailed in Algeria won't appeal, still hopeful of pardon: supporters
PARIS: French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal will not appeal his five-year prison sentence to Algeria's supreme court, said sources close to the author on Saturday, saying they remain hopeful for a pardon. The 80-year-old dual national writer was sentenced to five years behind bars on March 27 on charges related to undermining Algeria's territorial integrity over comments made to a French media outlet. 'According to our information, he will not appeal to the supreme court,' the president of the author's support committee, Noelle Lenoir, told broadcaster France Inter on Saturday. 'Moreover, given the state of the justice system in has no chance of having his offence reclassified on appeal,' the former European affairs minister said. 'This means that the sentence is final.' Sources close to Sansal told AFP that the writer had 'given up his right to appeal'. His French lawyer, Pierre Cornut-Gentille, declined to comment when contacted by AFP. France's prime minister Francois Bayrou said earlier this week that he hoped Algeria would pardon the author, whose family has highlighted his treatment for prostate cancer. But Sansal was not among the thousands pardoned by Algeria's president on Friday, the eve of the country's independence day. 'We believe he will be released. It is impossible for Algeria to take responsibility for his death in prison,' Lenoir said, adding she was 'remaining hopeful'. A prize-winning figure in North African modern francophone literature, Sansal is known for his criticism of Algerian authorities as well as of Islamists. The case against him arose after he told the far-right outlet Frontieres that France had unjustly transferred Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial period from 1830 to 1962 -- a claim Algeria views as a challenge to its sovereignty and that aligns with longstanding Moroccan territorial assertions. Sansal was detained in November 2024 upon arrival at Algiers airport. On March 27, a court in Dar El Beida sentenced him to a five-year prison term and fined him 500,000 Algerian dinars ($3,730). Appearing in court without legal counsel on June 24, Sansal said the case against him 'makes no sense' as 'the Algerian constitution guarantees freedom of expression and conscience'. The writer's conviction has further strained tense France-Algeria relations, which have been complicated by issues such as migration and France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Algeria court to rule on bid to double writer's jail term
An Algerian court is expected to deliver a verdict Tuesday on prosecutors' bid to double the jail term of a dual-national author whose conviction has strained ties with France. Boualem Sansal, 80, was first sentenced to five years behind bars on March 27 on charges related to undermining Algeria's territorial integrity over comments made to a French media outlet. The prosecutor general appealed last month and is seeking a 10-year prison sentence. A prize-winning figure in North African modern francophone literature, Sansal is known for his criticism of Algerian authorities as well as of Islamists. The case against him arose after he told the far-right outlet Frontieres that France had unjustly transferred Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial period from 1830 to 1962 -- a claim Algeria views as a challenge to its sovereignty and that aligns with longstanding Moroccan territorial assertions. Sansal was detained in November 2024 upon arrival at Algiers airport. On March 27, a court in Dar El Beida sentenced him to a five-year prison term and fined him 500,000 Algerian dinars ($3,730). Appearing in court without legal counsel on June 24, Sansal said the case against him "makes no sense" as "the Algerian constitution guarantees freedom of expression and conscience". He defended his remarks by citing the African Union's post-independence declaration that colonial borders should remain inviolable. When questioned about his writings, Sansal asked: "Are we holding a trial over literature? Where are we headed?" - Diplomatic rift - His family has expressed fears prison could jeopardise his health, noting he is receiving treatment for prostate cancer. French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed to his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune to show "mercy and humanity" toward Sansal. Authorities in the North African country maintain that due process is being respected. The writer's conviction further strained already tense France-Algeria relations, which have been complicated by issues such as migration and Macron's recent recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. Last month, the French National Assembly passed a resolution calling for Sansal's immediate release and linking future EU-Algeria cooperation to respect for human rights. While his case has become a cause celebre in France, among Algerians his past support for Israel has made him unpopular with a large segment of the population who back the Palestinian cause. Sansal faces charges including "undermining national unity", "insulting state institutions", "harming the national economy", and "possessing media and publications threatening the country's security and stability". Sansal's daughters, Nawel and Sabeha, told AFP in May they felt "a sense of total helplessness" over their father's imprisonment "simply for expressing an opinion". Some of the author's relatives have expressed hope that he will be pardoned on July 5, the 63rd anniversary of Algeria's independence. bur-fka-dv/smw/tc
France 24
01-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Algeria court to rule on bid to double writer's jail term
Boualem Sansal, 80, was first sentenced to five years behind bars on March 27 on charges related to undermining Algeria's territorial integrity over comments made to a French media outlet. The prosecutor general appealed last month and is seeking a 10-year prison sentence. A prize-winning figure in North African modern francophone literature, Sansal is known for his criticism of Algerian authorities as well as of Islamists. The case against him arose after he told the far-right outlet Frontieres that France had unjustly transferred Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial period from 1830 to 1962 -- a claim Algeria views as a challenge to its sovereignty and that aligns with longstanding Moroccan territorial assertions. Sansal was detained in November 2024 upon arrival at Algiers airport. On March 27, a court in Dar El Beida sentenced him to a five-year prison term and fined him 500,000 Algerian dinars ($3,730). Appearing in court without legal counsel on June 24, Sansal said the case against him "makes no sense" as "the Algerian constitution guarantees freedom of expression and conscience". He defended his remarks by citing the African Union's post-independence declaration that colonial borders should remain inviolable. When questioned about his writings, Sansal asked: "Are we holding a trial over literature? Where are we headed?" Diplomatic rift His family has expressed fears prison could jeopardise his health, noting he is receiving treatment for prostate cancer. French President Emmanuel Macron has appealed to his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune to show "mercy and humanity" toward Sansal. Authorities in the North African country maintain that due process is being respected. The writer's conviction further strained already tense France-Algeria relations, which have been complicated by issues such as migration and Macron's recent recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. Last month, the French National Assembly passed a resolution calling for Sansal's immediate release and linking future EU-Algeria cooperation to respect for human rights. While his case has become a cause celebre in France, among Algerians his past support for Israel has made him unpopular with a large segment of the population who back the Palestinian cause. Sansal faces charges including "undermining national unity", "insulting state institutions", "harming the national economy", and "possessing media and publications threatening the country's security and stability". Sansal's daughters, Nawel and Sabeha, told AFP in May they felt "a sense of total helplessness" over their father's imprisonment "simply for expressing an opinion". Some of the author's relatives have expressed hope that he will be pardoned on July 5, the 63rd anniversary of Algeria's independence.
Al Jazeera
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Algeria sentences author Boualem Sansal sentenced to five years in prison
Algeria has sentenced French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal to five years in prison on charges of 'undermining national unity'. A court in Dar El Beida, near Algiers, sentenced the author on Thursday under 'anti-terrorism' laws after he gave an interview to far-right French media outlet Frontieres, in which he questioned the borders dividing Algeria from regional rival Morocco. In the interview, published last October, Sansal argued that France had redrawn Algeria's borders in the latter's favour during the colonial period to include lands that once belonged to Morocco. The following month, he was arrested upon arriving in Algiers. The case has soured relations between Algeria and France, which nosedived last summer when France shifted its position to recognise Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory, and which were further aggravated when Algeria rejected French attempts to return Algerians slated for deportation. French President Emmanuel Macron appealed on Thursday to the Algerian authorities' 'good sense and humanity', saying he hoped they would 'give him [Sansal] back his freedom and allow him to be treated for the disease he is fighting'. French media have reported the author has cancer. Sansal, winner of the 2011 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, has long been a critic of Algerian authorities, but he has regularly visited the country, and his books have been sold there without restrictions. The author, who rejected court-appointed lawyers and chose to defend himself, denied the remarks violated laws or were meant to harm Algeria, according to Hociane Amine, a lawyer who was in the courtroom. 'Obviously, he has a possibility to appeal. And now that he's been sentenced, the president is within his rights to grant him a pardon because it's a political card in the current crisis with France,' Amine said. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has previously criticised Sansal, who was living in France, calling him an 'imposter'. But some observers have suggested the author might be granted a presidential pardon during upcoming Muslim or national holidays. Sansal's five-year sentence is half of what prosecutors requested and less than the recommended for those charged under Article 87 of Algeria's penal code, the controversial 'anti-terrorism' statute implemented after mass protests convulsed the country last decade. Human rights advocates in Algeria claim the laws have long been used to quash anti-government voices. The author also was fined 500,000 Algerian dinar ($3,735).
