Algerian Writer Boualem Sansal Arrested, Sparking Global Calls for His Release
The Franco-Algerian author, a vocal critic of authoritarianism and religious extremism, was detained on November 16 in Algiers, raising concerns about freedom of expression and diplomatic tensions.
- Boualem Sansal, a prominent Franco-Algerian author and critic of Islamism and Algeria's political regime, was arrested upon arriving in Algiers on November 16.
- International literary and political figures, including Nobel laureates and French President Emmanuel Macron, have demanded his immediate release, citing threats to freedom of expression.
- Sansal's arrest follows controversial remarks he made about Algeria's borders and sovereignty in a far-right French media outlet, which angered Algerian authorities.
- The detention occurs during heightened diplomatic strain between France and Algeria, exacerbated by France's recent recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
- Sansal's case has drawn comparisons to broader authoritarian crackdowns in Algeria, with critics warning of escalating repression of intellectuals and dissenting voices.
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