The Algerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained journalists targeted for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including Abdelwakil Blamm, Hassan Bouras and Christophe Gleizes, Amnesty International said today. The call comes ahead of the 14 May trial of Abdelwakil Blamm on bogus terrorism charges, amid the Algerian authorities’ misuse of the criminal justice system to punish independent critical media voices. Since November 2025, the Algerian authorities have arbitrarily detained, prosecuted or convicted seven journalists and media workers solely based on their media work or for expressing their opinions. One was sentenced to prison; three were convicted and granted suspended sentences while three others remain in pretrial detention. This wave of repression stands in stark contrast to recent government claims. On 4 May 2026, during a ceremony for World Press Freedom Day, Communication Minister Zoheir Bouamama highlighted government efforts to guarantee freedom of expression “free from any pressure or restriction.” The Algerian authorities must stop misusing the justice system to punish journalists solely for carrying out their work or for expressing critical or controversial opinions. Diana Eltahawy, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International. “While senior officials celebrate World Press Freedom Day and publicly commit to upholding freedom of expression, the reality for media workers critical of the authorities is strikingly different. They risk arrest, prolonged arbitrary detention, prosecution on terrorism and national security charges and travel bans solely for writing critical articles or communicating with other journalists and activists,” said Diana Eltahawy, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International. “The Algerian authorities must stop misusing the justice system to punish journalists solely for carrying out their work or for expressing critical or controversial opinions. They must immediately release unjustly detained journalists and allow journalists to express…
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