• Detention Duration: Boualem Sansal has been in custody in Algeria for over a week without formal charges being presented.
• Accusations: Algerian state media claims he faces serious charges linked to alleged attacks on national unity and historical claims favoring Morocco.
• Controversial Remarks: Sansal reportedly made statements suggesting parts of western Algeria historically belong to Morocco, sparking backlash.
• Media and Political Reaction: Algerian public television and state media label him as an “agent” serving foreign agendas, while his arrest has ignited criticism, particularly from the French far-right.
• Legal Developments: His lawyer confirmed he is scheduled to appear before an Algerian court on November 25.
Algerian Author Boualem Sansal Arrested Over Controversial Statements
Renowned Algerian author Boualem Sansal has been under arrest for over a week, yet no official charges or judicial updates have been issued. While neither Algeria’s judiciary nor political authorities have commented, state media has hinted at “serious charges” against him.
Background of the Arrest
Sansal’s arrest was officially reported on November 22 by the Algerian Press Service (APS), which criticized him as a “pseudo-intellectual” admired by the French far-right. A recent report by Algerian public television (ENTV) shed light on the charges, linking them to statements Sansal made about Algeria’s borders and history.
Allegations Against Sansal
ENTV accused Sansal of:
• Being an “agent with Moroccan origins” allegedly using his literary reputation for “a harmful agenda.”
• Making incendiary comments about Algeria’s territorial boundaries in an interview with a far-right French media outlet, Frontières. Sansal suggested that parts of western Algeria historically belonged to Morocco, attributing current borders to colonialism.
• Violating Algeria’s Penal Code, which treats any attack on national unity as a crime or act of terrorism.
The report also referenced his family’s history, noting that his father fled Morocco’s governance (Makhzen) for refuge in Algeria.
Arrest and Reactions
Sansal was detained by Algerian authorities upon arriving at Algiers airport on November 16. His arrest has sparked backlash from international circles, particularly the French far-right, which has launched a campaign demanding his release.
Legal Proceedings
On November 25, his lawyer, François Zimeray, announced that Sansal would be brought before the public prosecutor. Zimeray, engaged by Sansal’s French publisher Gallimard, stated, “What I know, or at least think I know, is that he will be presented to the public prosecutor this afternoon.”
The case has drawn widespread attention, with critics questioning Algeria’s treatment of intellectuals and its response to dissenting views on historical and political issues.
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