Boualem Sansal: Ten years in prison required - a trial of freedom!

Boualem Sansal: Ten years in prison required - a trial of freedom!

Alger, Algerien - The court halls in Algeria are currently locations for intensive disputes about freedom of expression and literary forms of expression. On June 24, 2025, the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was again on trial, where the public prosecutor requested a ten-year prison sentence and a fine of 1 million dinar (around 6,630 euros). This requirement represents a significant tightening of the original punishment that Sansal had received on March 27, 2025 for his statements about the government - five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 dinar, such as le Monde reported.

Sansal, who relied on the film -based art of self -representation in his defense, appeared without a lawyer and rejected all allegations as rumors in the appeal hearing. The indictment includes a variety of points, including the insult to a regulatory authority and the spread of false news. On the first day of the trial, June 1, 2023, the author explained that he was concerned with the defense of literature and that the Algerian constitution guarantees freedom of expression, such as el WATAN.

The process and its background

Sanal's court presence attracts both national and international attention. The subject of the negotiation was not only his writer's works, but also his last statements about Algerian politics and his relationships with foreign diplomats. The negotiation itself only lasted about 15 minutes, according to [Le Monde] (https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2025/24/proces-de-boualem sansal-dix-s-s-prison-re-en-appel-ecrivain_6615604_3212.html). Despite this complexity, Sansal was not put off and remained in his argument that he lives in France as a free man and only visited Algeria.

The situation around boualem sansal is not an isolated case, but part of a larger trend that concerns the restriction of freedom of expression and press in Algeria. The journalist Ihsane El Kadi, who was arrested without arrest warrant last December, is another example of the sharp repression against critical voices. The reports on his arrest and conviction illustrate how sensitive the Algerian authorities react to different opinions, which is also discussed in a explanation of the European Parliament

a worrying development

In recent years, the situation for media professionals in Algeria has deteriorated dramatically. The international organizations repeatedly denounced the violations of fundamental rights, and Algeria took 136th place in the ranking of press freedom in 2023. This development throws a critical light on the political landscape of the country. The EU urges the Algerian authorities to restore fundamental freedoms and to respect journalistic work.

The decision on the appeal judgment in Sansal's case will be announced on July 1, 2023. The outcome of this procedure could be pioneering for the freedom of literature and freedom of expression in Algeria. At a time when the voices of the truth are more demanded than ever, the question remains how many other writers and journalists still have to fight to make their voice to be heard.