Algeria: an internet user, supporter of the Hirak movement, sentenced to a heavy prison sentence

The 25-year-old Algerian internet user is accused of making fun of religion and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune with memes.

AP - Fateh Guidoum

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

A 25-year-old Internet user, supporter of the Hirak movement who works peacefully for regime change in Algeria was sentenced, this Monday, January 4, to three years in prison, for having published "memes" mocking President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and religion.

His lawyers and those of the Hirak detainees announced that they would appeal.

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The sentence against the young activist Walid Kechida was confirmed by lawyer Said Salhi, member of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH).

According to him " 

It is the heaviest sentence ever pronounced against a Hirak activist

 ".

For this lawyer, Walid Kechida is an artist who was tried for having expressed his opinion and for his activity and his commitment alongside the Hirak.

“

 He is a young artist who expresses himself through drawing, as young Algerians like to do in a humorous way.

He did it on his personal account

 , ”explains Said Salhi.

For him the charges are

"a little abstract and vague 

".

The Sétif prosecution had requested five years in prison against this cartoonist accused of 

"

insulting the

president

" and "the 

precepts of Islam

" and "

contempt of body 

".

Walid Kechida has been in pre-trial detention for more than eight months.

"

 The hour is very serious, he was sentenced when we expected his release or even an acquittal 

" told AFP Kaci Tansaout, coordinator of the National Committee for the release of prisoners of conscience (CNLD) in Algeria.

Many Hirak opponents and activists have been arrested, tried and sentenced in a climate of repression in Algeria, particularly against the media and bloggers.

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  • Algeria

  • Abdelmadjid Tebboune