In a column published in The Point this Saturday, November 23, several Nobel Prize winners are demanding “immediate release” of Boualem Sansal and all the writers imprisoned for their ideas. It is Kamel Daoud who is at the origin of this initiative. “Today I speak to you with deep concern”writes the winner of the Prix Goncourt. Among the signatories, we find: Annie Ernaux, Jean-Marie Le Clezio, Orhan Pamuk and Wole Soyinka, all Nobel Prize winners for literature. But also: Salman Rushdie, Sylvain Tesson and Bernard-Henri Lévy.
The arrest of Boualem Sansal is a “tragic news” showing a reality « alarming » in Algeria as well as the symbol of the obstruction of freedom of expression. “From now on, everything is possible: life imprisonment for a text message, prison for a sigh of annoyance. Sansal looks like an old biblical prophet, smiling”lists Kamel Daoud in his text in support of his friend.
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The Prix Goncourt also reminds us that Boualem Sansal is “known for his courage and his commitment against oppression, injustice, Islamist totalitarianism”. He continues: “In Algeria, writers and intellectuals, publishers, booksellers, live in fear of reprisals, accusations of espionage and arbitrary arrests, trials and defamation and violent media attacks on their staff and their loved ones”.
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Algeria confirms the arrest of Boualem Sansal
Algeria confirmed the arrest of Boualem Sansal on Friday November 22 in an article from the “Algérie Presse” news agency. The writings of the man of letters can harm “state security, territorial integrity, stability or the normal functioning of institutions”assures the Arab country. Therefore, he could be prosecuted for “terrorism” and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The article also denounces calls for the release of “Macronito-Zionist France” who are “additional proof of the existence of a “hateful” current against Algeria. A lobby that never misses an opportunity to question Algerian sovereignty.”
France
