Amnesty International denounces escalating crackdown on critical voices in Algeria

Amnesty International has denounced the “extreme measures” used by the Algerian authorities to silence critical voices, calling for the release of all wrongfully detained journalists, dropping all politically motivated charges against at least six of them and overturning the conviction of journalist Ihsane El Kadi.

El Kadi was sentenced on April 2 to five years in prison, with two years suspended, on unfounded charges related to receiving funds for “political propaganda” and “to harm the security of the state”, said the NGO in a press release.

Shortly before his arrest on December 24, Ihsane El Kadi had published an analysis about the next presidential elections in Algeria in 2024 which was critical of the role of the Algerian army.

“El Kadi is just the latest journalist to be targeted by the Algerian authorities amid their unrelenting assault on independent media. The authorities are taking extreme steps to stifle critical voices,” said Amna Guellali, AI’s Deputy Director for MENA region.

In recent months, an Algerian journalist was sentenced to death in absentia on espionage charges and at least five others are facing prosecution on unfounded charges, most of which are related to “spreading fake news”.

The Algerian authorities have also shut down at least three media outlets after being accused of broadcasting online without authorization. “All journalists jailed solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including those held on farcical charges of spreading ‘fake news’, must be immediately and unconditionally released”, said Amnesty International.