Algerian justice sentenced, Monday, February 15, several Hirak activists to prison terms, a few days before the second anniversary of this popular uprising which led to the fall of the former president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The heaviest sentence fell on the young activist Chems Eddine Laalami, known as Brahim, who was sentenced to two years in prison, accompanied by a fine of 200,000 dinars (1,250 euros), by the court of Bordj Bou Arreridj , near Algiers.

In pre-trial detention since September 9, 2020, the latter, aged 29, had to answer to six charges.

He was acquitted for three of them but sentenced for "insulting the President of the Republic", "contempt of body" and "publication of false information", told AFP Me Mounir Gharbi, lawyer and member of the collective defense of the accused.

The prosecution had requested four years in prison and a fine of 500,000 dinars.

Tension of the regime

In addition, a teacher from the University of Annaba (northeast of the country), Mouna Bouloudenine, a pro-Hirak activist, was sentenced to one year in prison, including six months closed.

The prosecution had requested two years in prison against the latter, accused of "publications that may harm the national interest".

In addition, two other Hirakists, Ali Naib and Nasreddine Younès, received sentences of six months in prison, including three months closed, in front of the court of Tiaret (center).

Placed under judicial control, they were prosecuted, among other charges, of "foreign funding for acts aimed at endangering the security of the State", according to the National Committee for the release of prisoners (CNLD) .

These harsh sentences come in a climate of tension in the regime, faced with a political, health and socio-economic crisis, one week before the anniversary of the Hirak, triggered on February 22, 2019.

"Judicial harassment"

Become one of the figures of the protest movement, Brahim Laalami, a 29-year-old tailor, had gone out a few days earlier in Bordj Bou Arreridj with a large sign denouncing the candidacy for a fifth term of the former strongman, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The Hirak erupted a few days later, forcing Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign the following April.

"We boycotted the trial because we felt that there were no guarantees of a fair trial," explained Mr. Gharbi.

Indeed, Brahim Laalami refused to be tried by videoconference.

Remote trials have been increasing in Algeria since the start of the pandemic.

They are authorized by the Algerian penal code.

He was sentenced in July to 18 months in prison for, among other things, "contempt of body" and "contempt of civil servant".

The activist was arrested again on September 8, a few days after being released following a reduced sentence.

"This new sentence confirms our fears," said Saïd Salhi, vice-president of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights.

"Brahim Laalami is the victim of judicial harassment".

"Right to freedom of expression"

Amnesty International condemned the judgment, stressing that "no one should be sentenced for exercising their right to freedom of expression".

Amnesty and LADDH have again called for the release of prisoners of conscience in Algeria.

A march organized for "the departure of the 'system' (in power), for the release of detainees and against the repression of freedoms" brought together several hundred people on Monday morning in Béjaïa, a large city of Kabylia (north-east), d 'after LADDH.

More than 70 people are currently imprisoned in Algeria in connection with the Hirak protests and / or individual freedoms, according to the CNLD.

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

With AFP

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