Overview
- On November 10, Frank‑Walter Steinmeier called for a humanitarian pardon for the 80‑year‑old writer and proposed his transfer to Germany for medical treatment.
- Boualem Sansal remains imprisoned nearly a year after his November 16, 2024 arrest despite repeated appeals for his release.
- An Algerian appeals court in July upheld a five‑year sentence tied to his statements that Algeria inherited territories formerly belonging to Morocco.
- France says it is pursuing an “exacting dialogue” with Algiers to secure his release, while his supporters and daughters describe silence and repeatedly dashed expectations.
- Algerian authorities have signaled no clemency and have characterized the case as internal, set against expulsions, ambassador recalls, and tighter diplomatic visas that have strained relations with Paris.