“To attack him is, in a certain way, to attack France,” analyzes academician Jean-Christophe Rufin

Does Jean-Christophe Rufin see in the arrest of Boualem Sansal a desire to silence free spirits? “Clearly, he replies. Boualem is a free man, who has also struck blows against the Algiers regime as well as against the Islamists, and also has a very critical view of Europe.“A free man then, but”which also symbolizes the relationship between Algeria and France”, continues Jean-Christophe Rufin.

The academician also recalls the “passion“by Boualem Sansal for the French language and culture.”Attacking him is, in a certain way, attacking France“, he summarizes.

“This is a way of attacking the relationship that exists between Algeria and Francedevelops Jean-Christophe Rufin. Boualem Sansal is someone who has always advocated both for his country, which he loves and where he lives (…) and on the other hand for this openness to the world that French represents. That is to say the fact of keeping a link with France which is not a neurotic link linked solely to colonization, but a cultural link, linked to another culture.

Watch the full interview in the video above