Khaled Drareni has become the symbol of the fight for press freedom. The TV5 Monde correspondent in Algeria was released from Koléa prison on February 19. Saturday February 27, the independent journalist is the guest of franceinfo
“I have always been free, even in detention. Juridically, I am on bail until the judgment of my appeal by the Supreme Court on March 25, ”explained Khaled Drareni, an Algerian independent journalist, on 11 pm Saturday February 27.
“I cannot be pardoned until my conviction is final. I accepted to make a request for provisional release on February 19 because I was asked to do so and I understood that it was a way of getting me out of prison ”, specifies the correspondent of TV5 Monde. and Reporters Without Borders.
Hirak protests resume
Khaled Drareni is accused of being an informant in the pay of foreign parties. “It is the easiest accusation that one can stick to an independent journalist and it does not happen only in Algeria. The real cause was my way of covering the Hirak, which led to the departure of President Bouteflika in 2019. But I have always had the will to cover the demonstrations in a free and independent way and I have even covered the demonstrations in favor of the Algerian regime “, affirms the activist for the freedom of the press imprisoned for 11 months.
Hirak protests resumed on February 17 after a year of silence. “The same people who had this awareness of starting a historic popular movement had the same awareness of stopping this movement for health reasons. The situation has improved, so the protest has resumed, “concludes journalist Khaled Drareni, who says he is not afraid to return to prison.
