3 years imprisonment for an Algerian blogger for comics

Walid Kashida

Today, an Algerian blogger who supports Hirak was sentenced to three years in prison after being accused of publishing comics on the Internet that mock President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and religion, according to an NGO and a lawyer.

Kassi Tansaout, the coordinator of the National Committee for the Release of Detainees, an association that helps prisoners of conscience in Algeria, said, "Unfortunately, Walid Kachida was sentenced to three years in prison with the expiration date in addition to a fine. The situation is very dangerous at a time when we expected him to be released today."

"We must now close the ranks alongside the lawyers during the appeal," he added.

Lawyer Moamen Shady confirmed this harsh ruling.

The Public Prosecutor in Setif (northeast) had requested five years imprisonment against Walid Kachida (25 years) on charges of "insulting a statutory body, insulting the president of the republic and insulting the known from religion."

The well-known youth of Setif activist has been awaiting trial for nearly eight months for posting comic images on social media sites deemed to harm the authorities and religion.

Kashida has published his cartoons on the Facebook page of the "Hirak Memes" group that he runs.

There are more than 90 people in prison in Algeria currently connected to the movement or individual freedoms.

For many, the prosecutions are based on Facebook posts critical of the authorities, according to the National Committee for the Release of Detainees.

Human rights organizations denounce the tightening of the screws on freedom of expression on the Internet in Algeria, ranging from censoring content on social networks and legal measures against Internet users to censoring electronic media.

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