Algerian journalist Moncef Aït Kaci, correspondent for France 24 until recently, was arrested in Algiers, without his lawyer being able to specify the exact reasons for his arrest. 

Our colleague was arrested in the company of his cameraman, Ramdane Rahmouni, who had ensured the technical aspects of the interview granted to France 24 of the Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on July 4. 

The charges against Moncef Aït Kaci have not been disclosed, but according to his defense, it would be a problem of press accreditation with the Algerian authorities.

RSF denounces "increased repression of press freedom"

The arrest of the journalist and his cameraman aroused anger and incomprehension among Algerian journalists and triggered recriminations on social networks. 

"Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is deeply concerned about the increased repression of press freedom in Algeria: the authorities are sinking into the infernal spiral of repression, where new arbitrary measures are used to mask previous ones," lamented RSF in a tweet. 

# Algeria @Rsf_inter denounces the pre-trial detention of @Moncefaitkaci, employee of @ FRANCE24. Prosecuted since November 2019, he is accused of harming the national interest, foreign funding and collaboration without accreditation with a television channel

- RSF_Afrique-du-Nord (@RSF_NordAfrique) July 28, 2020

The management of France Media Monde and France 24 are working tirelessly to obtain the release of Moncef Ait Kaci and Ramdane Rahmouni. The Algerian authorities were seized last night. Lawyers are with them. The Quai d'Orsay and its crisis unit have been alerted. 

The journalists of France 24 obviously want to give their full support to their colleagues unjustly arrested. 

With AFP

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