Overview
- The 81-year-old novelist was freed on November 12 after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune granted a pardon requested by Germany’s Frank‑Walter Steinmeier, then was treated in Berlin before returning to France and meeting Emmanuel Macron.
- In his France 2 interview, he described a year in detention as isolating and exhausting, saying he was cut off from the outside world without contact with other inmates or a lawyer.
- He said he is carefully measuring every word and voiced fear for his family’s safety if he were to return to Algeria.
- Sansal reported receiving effective treatment for prostate cancer and said he is in good health, though he finds the transition to freedom complicated.
- He called attention to other detainees, naming journalist Christophe Gleizes whose appeal is set for December 3, and he is slated to speak again on France Inter on November 24.