Algiers (AFP)
Several Algerian journalists were arrested on the margins or not of the anti-regime popular movement ("Hirak") which led to the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April 2019.
Most of the journalists have been released, but some are still facing prosecution, while others remain in prison.
Founder and director of the online information site Casbah Tribune, he is also a correspondent for the French television channel TV5 Monde and representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in Algeria.
He was placed on preventive detention on March 29 at the Koléa prison center, west of Algiers, pending his trial. He is accused of "inciting unarmed assembly and attacking the integrity of the national territory".
"Khaled Drareni was covering a demonstration of + Hirak + and was taking photos for his site," said Me Mustapha, Bouchachi, one of his lawyers.
The latter filed a request for provisional release Thursday with the investigating judge. "I am optimistic," said Nassima Rezazgui, another member of his defense collective, to AFP.
As the investigation is still ongoing, the trial has not yet been scheduled.
Correspondent of the Lebanese channel Al Mayadeen and father of three children, he was placed in preventive detention on September 26, 2019.
Initially accused of "attacking national integrity" and "other standard charges against Hirak actors", the justice system finally sentenced him to eight months in prison for "smuggling sensitive material", according to his lawyer Me Faiza Guettache.
According to her, Mr. Merakchi bought on the web a device to increase internet speed and be able to broadcast his television interventions live.
Mr. Merakchi claims to have used this material in full view of everyone for several months, including to cover the activities of official institutions, without being informed of any prohibition.
Before joining the Lebanese channel, he worked for ten years on public radio and received several distinctions.
"Sofiane Merakchi is a professional journalist who ends up in prison because he covered the Hirak," accuses Me Guettache. His appeal trial is scheduled for May 21.
"Merakchi made direct for an Arabic-speaking chain which emitted in the Middle East. That did not like", abounds Hakim Addad, militant of Rassemblement Action Jeunesse (RAJ), a pro-contest movement, which rubbed shoulders with it in detention .
According to the NGO Article 19, Sofiane Merakchi was the first Algerian journalist arrested in connection with the "Hirak". However, his arrest was not publicized.
Journalist for the private news channel Echourouk News where he produces and presents political broadcasts, he was detained on July 15, 2019.
Most lawyers have refused to speak to his case publicly, admitting in private that "his case is sensitive."
Mr. Djir is accused of usurpation of function and blackmail. His trial is scheduled for May 17.
According to Me Guettache, he is "a victim of the gray areas surrounding the investigative work of journalists". According to her, he was "in the wrong place with the wrong person" at the time of the events.
The psychological state of Mr. Djir, father of two young children, "deteriorates", worries his lawyer, confirming the testimony of ex-detainees.
"Belkacem Djir is extremely fragile psychologically, he is afraid of what awaits him. He is very pious and clings to religion", testifies Hakim Addad, of the RAJ.
His lawyer says he has worked on several corruption cases.
Arabic-speaking journalist for Jaridati, he was found guilty of having helped the owner of this newspaper to leave for Tunisia in August 2013 while he was under the ban of leaving the national territory.
He is serving a three-year prison sentence.
Journalist and CEO of the largest Algerian private media group Ennahar, he has been in pre-trial detention since February 14 for a corruption case and in another for "bodily contempt and invasion of privacy".
© 2020 AFP