Algerian agents intimidate Kabyle activists in Canada

A group of Canadian nationals originating from the restive and independence seeking Kabylie complained of harassment by Algerian intelligence and consular services in the country, Radio Canada reported.

Kabylie is an Amazigh speaking breakaway region in northern Algeria which has a government in exile led by Ferhat Mhenni. Members of the region’s independence movement, known as MAK, have been labeled as terrorists and thrown in jail in cham trials, forcing many activists into exile.

In Canada, several Kabyles have been intimidated by Algerian diplomats and intelligence services for their alleged ties to MAK.

Radio Canada zoomed in on many such stories, including that of Kamal Sehaki an artist and cameraman in Montreal.

Sehaki said that any member who has ties to MAK should brace for trouble with the Algerian regime, which follows them even in Canada!

Sehaki said he received a call from an Algerian diplomat asking to meet him and saying the Algerian government would help him move forward in his musical career.

When Sehaki met the Algerian agent, most of the conversation was about MAK as he was threatened to stop attending or filming MAK events.

Sehaki said he was a cameraman and filming was his job adding that the Algerian agent showed him pictures of himself filming with exact dates.

“Afterwards, he named two people. They are friends that I meet here in Canada. We come from the same village. He told me: these friends you have to stop meeting them for good because they are MAK activists,” he said.

Sehaki was also asked to sign a document promising to stay away from MAK in exchange for letting him visit Kabylie, an offer which he said he refused obviously.

Head of the oldest Kabyle association in Canada, Centre Aqvayli, Kamel Serbouh said a climate of fear grips the kabylian community in Montreal because of Algeria’s intimidation.

Many Canadian Kabyles are being interrogated once landing in an Algerian airport he said.