Algeria: BBC Correspondent Thrown in Prison for Espionage

Algerian Authorities have locked up journalist fixer Saïd Chitour over espionage after he was arrested early last month at Algiers airport on his way back from a trip in Spain.

BBC correspondent Chitour is known by foreign English media and missions for helping arrange meetings between Algerian figures and foreign media in Algeria. He also serves as interpreter.

According to press reports, Chitour has been arrested on June 5 upon return from a trip to Spain, and charged for espionage and handover of secret documents to foreign powers for money. He has been, since then, locked up at El Harrach prison, in Algiers.

His arrest and imprisonment became public Monday during a dinner at the residence of the US ambassador to Algiers, el Watan reports.

The journalist reportedly told his brother that he has been on the radar for months and has been interrogated two times. He claimed his innocence and said that authorities had no evidence against him, he brother told media.

His lawyer Khaled Bourayou told local media, tsa-algerie.com, that the accusations are exaggerated and that his client routinely informs authorities on his activities.