Algerian court upholds five-year jail term for French-Algerian writer

Ennahar TV reported that an Algerian court confirmed on Tuesday the five-year sentence Boualem Sansal is serving for undermining nation unity. France has called for clemency.

Sansal was 80 years old and lived in France. He was arrested in Algeria while on a visit in November. In March, he was sentenced for making statements in French media outlets in which he supported Morocco's claim that a part of Morocco was taken under French colonialism, and annexed by Algeria.

Sansal denied these charges. He claimed that his remarks were made in the context of freedom of speech and that he did not intend to offend Algeria.

The French Foreign Ministry stated that "France regrets" the decision of the appeal court to sentence our compatriot Boualem Sansal to prison, maintaining the sentence handed out by the lower court.

The French government urged Algerian authorities, taking into consideration his health status and humanitarian concerns, to find a quick, humane and dignified resolution to our compatriot's situation.

Sandal was released by the French president Emmanuel Macron after he received his sentence in March.

Since France recognized Morocco's sovereignty in the Western Sahara dispute, relations between Paris and Algiers has deteriorated.

The tensions have been exacerbated by Algiers refusing to accept those who were deported from France and Sansal being detained. Both sides have expelled some diplomats of the other.

(source: Reuters)