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French-Algerian Author Boualem Sansal to Appear Before Algerian Prosecutor After Arrest
French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, renowned for his critique of religious extremism and authoritarian regimes, is set to appear before a prosecutor in Algeria today. The circumstances of his detention remain unclear since his arrest over a week ago.
Sansal’s lawyer, François Zimeray, shared the development during a Monday interview on French radio. Representing the author through Gallimard publishing house, Zimeray revealed that he lacks concrete information about Sansal's condition or the charges against him. The Algerian authorities have yet to allow Sansal access to legal representation, prompting the local bar association to appoint counsel. Zimeray emphasized the importance of ensuring that Sansal can choose his own legal team.
The Algerian state news agency confirmed the arrest last Friday but provided no details regarding the timing or reasons for the detention. Reports indicate Sansal was taken into custody on November 16 at Algiers airport upon his arrival from France. The incident has sparked outrage among literary and human rights communities. Prominent writers, including Nobel laureates Annie Ernaux, Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, and Orhan Pamuk, have signed a petition demanding Sansal’s release.
Sansal’s arrest occurs amid ongoing tensions between France and Algeria. Diplomatic relations have soured following France’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara. Despite the backdrop of geopolitical strife, Zimeray stressed that Sansal’s case should remain a matter of legal rights rather than politics. He called for respect for Algeria’s international commitments to human rights and the principles of justice.
“This is not just a French-Algerian issue,” Zimeray remarked. “It is a broader concern for intellectuals and the Algerian public, who deserve better than this.”
Boualem Sansal is celebrated for his incisive literary works that challenge societal and political norms, earning him acclaim and controversy alike. Advocates for his release see his detention as an affront to intellectual freedom and human rights.