The jail sentence of a prominent independent journalist in Algeria has just been considerably increased by an appeal court in Algiers.
The said journalist, Ihsane el-Kadi was sentenced to three years imprisonment with two years shelved earlier this year on order of receiving foreign financing for the independent media group he possessed.
But today, June 19, reports came in that the sentence was raised to seven years – with five years to be served in prison.
Kadi had been arrested in 2022 on Christmas Eve and an order had been issued to close down his media company afterwards.
El-Kadi’s lawyers have meanwhile, enied the charges, stating that the only foreign transfer of money had come from el-Kadi’s daughter who is reportedly, a partner in the company and is based in the UK.
The circumstances of El-Kadi’s arrest is eerily familiar to how independent journalists and human rights activists have been arrested world wide on the sole basis of their outspokenness and their challenge of the government.
The details surrounding this case is simply one of an abuse of power. Reports have emerged that Ihsane el-Kadi’s lawyers had been unable to submit their objection to his arrest and the closedown of his media company because the date of the court session had been shifted without their notice.
This fact, couple with the increased sentencing is a glaring indication that Algeria is repressive country that sabotages national unity and stability in the bid to silence its opposition.
