Algerian authorities are taking extreme steps to stifle critical voices, Amnesty International said.
The Algerian authorities must release all wrongfully detained journalists, drop all politically motivated charges against at least six of them and quash the conviction of journalist Ihsane El Kadi, the London-based NGO said in a statement released Tuesday.
The organization called for the release of journalist Ihsane El Kadi, sentenced on April 2 by the court of Sidi M’hamed, Algiers, to five years in prison, two of which were suspended, “on unfounded charges related to receiving funds for political propaganda and to harm the security of the state.”
“Ihsane El Kadi is just the latest journalist to be targeted by the Algerian authorities as part of their ongoing assault on the independent media,” said Amna Guellali, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa program.
Over the past two years, the Algerian authorities have prosecuted, arrested or detained at least 11 other journalists and media workers, said AI which also condemned that several independent media outlets were shut down.