Algeria: Journalist Ihsane El Kadi sentenced to five years in prison
Ihsane El Kadi, director of "Maghreb Emergent"@ElkadiIhsane
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The Algerian prosecutor's office has requested a five-year prison sentence for El Kadi Ihsane, a journalist close to the opposition, accused of receiving money from abroad and detained since late December. The verdict is expected on Sunday, April 2.
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With our correspondent in Algiers, Fayçal Métaoui
The public prosecutor requested, during a trial held Sunday, March 26, five years in prison and the confiscation of the property and funds of the boss of the agency Interface Media, which publishes Radio M, a radio on the web, and Maghreb Emergent, an economic news site.
In detention since late December 2022, El Kadi Ihsane is being prosecuted, among other things, for "collecting funds without authorization" and "receiving funds from abroad to commit acts against state security".
The journalist and his lawyers remained silent during the trial to protest against the "legal violations" that marred the case, starting with El Kadi Ihsane's arrest, his continued pre-trial detention and the sealing of Interface Media's headquarters in Algiers. For the defence, the conditions for a fair trial are not met.
But for the Algerian authorities, El Kadi Ihsane was acting illegally and receiving money from abroad to make "political propaganda". The journalist is known for his critical positions towards the government. A petition launched by the NGO Reporters Without Borders calling for El Kadi Ihashane's release has garnered more than 10,000 signatures.
The Algerian prosecutor is seeking five years in prison against press boss Ihsane El Kadi. Let us say it, this indictment has absolutely no meaning, except that of a judicial ferocity against a man guilty of having a free spirit. #PressFreedom https://t.co/j6BSByVIaX pic.twitter.com/u9nimxOv7m
— Christophe Deloire (@cdeloire) March 26, 2023
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- Algeria
- Justice
- Freedom of the press