By RFIPosted on 02-01-2020Modified on 02-01-2020 at 14:59
In Algeria, he had become a symbol for the protesters of Hirak, the protest movement. Lakhdar Bouregaa is released from prison after six months in pretrial detention.
Difficult for those who have seen images of the demonstrations in Algeria not to know the face of Lakhdar Bouregaa. For months, his portrait has been of all the processions on Friday. It was particularly so on November 1 , the anniversary of the start of the country's war of independence, against the French colonial power. For Lakhdar Bouregaa is a veteran of the National Liberation Army, who has become a figure in the protest movement which has been agitating Algeria for more than ten months.
Lakhdar Bouregaa was arrested at the end of June after having made critical remarks towards the former chief of staff, Ahmed Gaïd Salah. He is accused of attacking the morale of the army and of contempt. Today 86 years old, Lakhdar Bouregaa has a fragile health. Before his provisional release, he made regular trips back and forth between the prison and the hospital.
His age, his state of health, his positions considered courageous, against the power in place, earned him great respect from a part of the Algerians, and in particular sympathizers of Hirak . He is also an active member, since before his arrest, he regularly participated in weekly marches. It is therefore free for Lakhdar Bouregaa to appear during his trial on March 12.
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