Five years in prison for writers Boualem Sansal: Hope for grace?

Five years in prison for writers Boualem Sansal: Hope for grace?

Alger, Algerien - On July 1, 2025, Algier's Appellation Court confirmed the five-year prison sentence for the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. This means that the legal Situation of the 80-year-old author, who has been imprisoned for over seven months, has remained on pointed stone. His punishment was already imposed in March 2025 due to statements that he had made in October 2024 and who critically dealt with the colonial heritage of Algeria. The charges outline a wide range: from "hazardous to the state" to "insulting the state". Despite his critical situation, Sansal said about his new French lawyer, me Pierre Cornut-Gentille, no comments on the possibility of another appeal that is open to him within eight days.

The French government reacted with great concern to the judgment. Paris described the decision as "incomprehensible and unjustified" and urged the Algerian authorities, considering the health state of Sansal, which suffers from prostate cancer, on a gesture of fortention. This could possibly coincide with the upcoming 63rd anniversary of Algeria's independence on July 5. In the past, older or sick occupants often received grace on such occasions.

The background of the punishment

The rule of law for boualem sansal is rooted in the tense diplomatic situation between Algeria and France. The unrest in bilateral relationships has been tightening since July 2024 when France recognized an offer of autonomy for the Western Sahara. These developments led to hard reactions and mutual diplomatic instructions. In the course of this, the French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes was sentenced to seven years in prison for "glorification of terrorism", which continued to strain trust between the nations.

When Sansal was arrested, his awareness in Algeria was limited. Even his pro-Israeli views did not give him a lot of support in his own country. Therefore, the hopes of his supporters to achieve a pardon are rather weak. Nevertheless, the echo of his beliefs in the discussions about French-Algerian relationships remains unchanged.

political perspectives

While the decision of the court is considered final, there have already been discussions about a possible political solution. The Algerian Interior Minister indicated that a act of mercy could be considered in view of Sansal's state of health. The resolution of the French National Assembly for Sansal's immediate release on May 6, 2025 can be interpreted as a further indication of the political efforts of both sides.

The next week in which Algeria's independence day is celebrated could be decisive for the fate of the writer. Family members and supporters hope that the importance of this holiday could possibly lead to pardon. So far, however, there has been no response from the Algerian authorities, which continues to consider the situation to be tense.

The question remains: Will Boualem Sansal be able to watch on July 5, 2025 how Algeria celebrates his independence anniversary, or will he continue to sit behind bars? The hope of a humanitarian sign from Algiers remains alive among the observers of the political landscape.

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