Algeria Court Jails Writer Boualem Sansal for 5 Years
In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the literary world, an Algerian court has sentenced French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal to five years in jail for “undermining national unity”. The verdict has sparked widespread condemnation, with France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressing regret over the sentencing and calling for a swift resolution to the situation.
Sansal, a prominent critic of Islamism and the Algerian government, has been in detention since November 2024. His health has deteriorated significantly during his imprisonment, and he was recently hospitalized due to ill health. The 75-year-old writer’s sentence has been met with outrage from human rights organizations and literary figures around the world, who have called for his immediate release.
Sansal is a renowned writer and intellectual who has been a vocal critic of Algeria’s political system and the country’s treatment of its citizens. His works often explore themes of politics, culture, and identity, and have been widely praised for their insight and nuance. Despite his prominence, Sansal has faced numerous challenges and threats throughout his career, including arrest and imprisonment on previous occasions.
The charges against Sansal, which were announced in March 2025, are based on his alleged “undermining of national unity” through his writings. However, many have questioned the legitimacy of the charges, arguing that they are a blatant attempt to silence a vocal critic of the government.
France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson has condemned the sentencing, calling it “unacceptable” and urging the Algerian authorities to reconsider their decision. The spokesperson also expressed concern for Sansal’s health and well-being, given his recent hospitalization.
The international community has also spoken out against the sentencing, with human rights organizations and literary figures alike calling for Sansal’s immediate release. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a statement condemning the sentence, calling it “a clear attempt to silence a critical voice”.
Sansal’s imprisonment is the latest in a series of attacks on freedom of expression in Algeria. The country has a poor record on human rights, with numerous journalists, activists, and writers facing imprisonment, intimidation, and harassment.
The Algerian government has faced criticism for its human rights record, with many accusing it of using the country’s anti-terrorism laws to silence critics and opposition voices. The government has also been accused of cracking down on dissent and opposition, with many journalists and activists facing arrest and imprisonment.
Despite the international outcry, the Algerian government has remained defiant, with officials defending the sentence and accusing Sansal of being a “traitor” to the country. The government has also claimed that Sansal’s writings are “harmful to national unity” and that he has “undermined the country’s stability”.
The sentencing of Boualem Sansal is a stark reminder of the challenges facing writers and intellectuals in Algeria. Despite the country’s rich cultural heritage and literary tradition, writers and artists are often subject to censorship, intimidation, and persecution.
The international community has a responsibility to speak out against this kind of repression and to demand the release of writers like Boualem Sansal. Sansal’s imprisonment is a clear attempt to silence a critical voice, and it is imperative that we stand in solidarity with him and demand his immediate release.
