An Algerian appeals court on Tuesday upheld the five-year prison sentence handed to renowned Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, a ruling that has further strained diplomatic ties between Algeria and France.
Sansal, 80, was convicted in March on charges of undermining Algeria’s territorial integrity, stemming from remarks he made during a 2023 interview with a French media outlet. The appeals court confirmed the original verdict without modifications, according to an AFP journalist present in court.
The acclaimed novelist, known for his outspoken views and criticism of authoritarianism, has long been a controversial figure in Algerian political circles. His case has drawn international attention, with rights groups and literary figures condemning the sentence as a violation of freedom of expression.
The court’s decision comes amid heightened tensions between Algeria and France, with the treatment of dual nationals and press freedoms at the center of recent diplomatic rifts.
