A young Algerian internet user, a supporter of the anti-regime “Hirak” protest movement, was sentenced Monday (January 4th) to three years in prison for posting memes mocking President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and religion, reported by an NGO and his lawyer .
“Walid Kechida is unfortunately sentenced to 3 years in prison with a fine. The hour is very serious when we expected his release today, ”said Kaci Tansaout, coordinator of the National Committee for the Liberation of Prisoners (CNLD), an association that helps prisoners of conscience in Algeria.
“We must all mobilize alongside the lawyers at the appeal trial”
“Now we must all mobilize alongside the lawyers at the appeal trial,” he added. This heavy sentence was confirmed by one of the lawyers, Me Moumen Chadi.
The public prosecutor’s office in Sétif, in the north-east of the country, had requested five years in prison against Walid Kechida, 25, accused of “insulting the president”, “the precepts of Islam” and “official state. “.
The activist has been in pre-trial detention for more than eight months
The activist, known to the youth of Sétif, has been in pre-trial detention for more than eight months for having published “memes”, images which have been hijacked in a humorous way on social networks, and affecting the authorities and religion.
Many “Hirak” opponents and activists have been arrested, tried and sentenced in Algeria in a climate of repression against opponents, independent media and bloggers.
According to the CNLD, arrests and arrests targeting anti-regime activists are daily occurrences despite the halt of weekly “Hirak” demonstrations since mid-March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
