The Algerian Internet user had posted memes in a Facebook group (illustration).

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Igor Golovniov / SOPA Images / Sip / SIPA

The sanction is part of a climate of increased repression of freedom of expression on the Internet in Algeria.

A young Internet user was sentenced on Monday to a heavy prison sentence for posting “memes” on Facebook that mock the authorities and religion.

"Walid Kechida is unfortunately sentenced to three years in prison with a fine" of 500,000 dinars (3,000 euros), declared Kaci Tansaout, coordinator of the National Committee for the Liberation of Prisoners (CNLD), an association supporting prisoners opinion in Algeria.

“The hour is very serious at the time when we expected his release today, or even a release.

Now, we must all mobilize alongside the lawyers "for the" appeal trial ", he added.

“Memes” on Facebook

The public prosecutor's office in Sétif (north-east of the country) had requested five years in prison against Walid Kechida, 25, accused of "insulting the president", "the precepts of Islam" and "contempt of body" .

The activist, known to local youth, has been in pre-trial detention for more than eight months.

He is accused of having published “memes” - images which have been hijacked in a humorous way on social networks - relating to the authorities, in particular to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and to religion.

His viral illustrations, mocking many subjects, were posted on the Facebook group "Hirak Memes", of which he was the administrator.

# Algeria's govt continues its vengeance against #Hirak activists.

Administrator of a Facebook satirical page, Walid Kechida, in prison since April 2020, was sentenced to 3 years today for… memes!

#FreeWalidKechida #FreeKhaled pic.twitter.com/kp4Jjr4Q1E

- Ahmed Benchemsi (@AhmedBenchemsi) January 4, 2021

The legislative deadline

"The government maintains its authoritarian roadmap and decides another coup in preparation for the legislative elections, the harsher penalties are the signal", denounced on Twitter Saïd Salhi, vice-president of the Algerian League for the rights of the Male (LADDH).

These elections are scheduled for 2021, and President Tebboune - recovering after being treated for the coronavirus for two months in Germany - has made the development of the new electoral law for this poll a priority.

"The Algerian government continues its revenge against the militants of Hirak", the popular protest movement, reacted on Twitter Ahmed Benchemsi, a regional official of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

In total, more than 90 people are currently imprisoned in Algeria in connection with the Hirak protests and / or individual freedoms.

Prosecutions based in at least 90% of cases on publications on social networks critical of the authorities, according to the CNLD.

Several similar cases

If the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Ammar Belhimer, considers that "there are no prisoners of conscience in Algeria", human rights NGOs consider that the noose is tightens on the Internet.

Court cases similar to that of Walid Kechida have multiplied in 2020.

Mustapha Bendjama, editor-in-chief of the daily

Le Provincial

based in Annaba (north-east), is currently being prosecuted in four cases, all in connection with his publications on social networks.

In addition, the ex-policeman Toufik Hassani, a figure of Hirak currently imprisoned, was sentenced on Monday to six months in particular for "attacking the integrity of the national territory by means of publications on social networks", according to the report. CNLD.

In Algiers, three detainees have been on hunger strike for more than a week to denounce the extension of their detention warrant.

Prosecuted in the same case, they have been in pre-trial detention in El Harrach prison for more than four months.

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