The 75-year-old author Boualem Sansal, who was arrested upon his arrival in Algeria more than a week ago in unclear conditions, fights against religious fundamentalism and authoritarianism.
Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, arrested in Algeria “more than a week ago” in dark conditions, “will see a prosecutor” during the day, announced Monday his lawyer François Zimeray, mandated by Gallimard editions to take part in his defense. “What I know today, well what I think I know based on the information sent to me, is that he will be presented to the prosecution this afternoon”explained François Zimeray on RTL. “He will see a prosecutor today”added the lawyer, specifying however that he did not “no specific news” on the state or conditions of detention of the 75-year-old writer, in the fight against religious fundamentalism and authoritarianism.
“So far he has not had access to a defense. A lawyer should be appointed to him by the president of Algiers with whom I spoke yesterday.continued Me Zimeray, estimating “very important that he be defended by an Algerian lawyer, and if possible a lawyer of his choice”and calling for a “fair trial”. Will Mr. Zimeray go there? “I don’t know and I don’t even know if it’s necessary” he replied. You must first “be very vigilant with the other lawyers who will join (…) as to respect for the fundamental principles of law, such as Algeria has subscribed to in the international commitments ratified by this country”he stressed. Asked what he expects from French politicians and government, the lawyer said it was necessary “avoid doing as much as possible at this stage”.
“Some wanted to make Boualem Sansal, and this arrest, the occasion of another irritant in the Franco-Algerian relationship. And the role of its defense today is obviously not to do anything that goes in this direction.insisted Mr. Zimeray. “It is not only a Franco-Algerian dimension, it must challenge intellectuals from all over the world” et “this must also be an Algerian subject, treated under Algerian law, and which challenges Algerian society, which deserves better than that”he argued. On Friday, the Algerian government agency APS confirmed “the arrest” of the writer, without specifying a date. According to several media, Boualem Sansal was arrested on November 16 at Algiers airport, coming from France. These events take place in a tense diplomatic context between France and Algeria, after Paris' support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara at the end of July.
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