An Algerian court on Aug. 10 sentenced [7] journalist Khaled Drareni to three years in prison for speaking out against the government. Drareni, who is well known in Algeria and has a twitter account [8] of roughly 150,000 followers, is editor of Casbah Tribune [9] news website and correspondent for international TV5 Monde [14] and media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF [15]). He reported widely on the Hirak [10] protest movement against the rule of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. At trial, prosecutors used as evidence [11] a Facebook post Drareni shared, calling for a general strike. The court found him guilty of "endangering national unity" and "inciting" unlawful gatherings.
Drareni has been detained since March. His attorneys issued a statement declaring, "All he did was give information, in words and images. He did nothing more than his work as a journalist."
A 2016 Freedom House report [16] designates Algeria's press status as "not free." Although the Algerian constitution [17] guarantees the right of freedom of expression, the government operates state-run television, controls newspapers, and closely oversees online communication.
RSF spoke out [18] against Drareni's sentencing and stated that he should be released.
From Jurist [19], Aug. 10. Used with permission.
Note: The Hirak [20] or "people's mobilization" last year finally ousted [21] long-ruling president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, but has rejected the special election that brought Tebboune to power as controlled, with its outcome pre-determined by the regime.
