A well-known Algerian youth activist was convicted of posting “memes”, devious images mocking the authorities and religion on Facebook. In detention since the end of April, he will be able to get out of prison.
Walid Kechida, a young Algerian activist prosecuted for posting “memes” mocking the authorities and religion on Facebook was sentenced on Sunday on appeal to one year in prison, including six months closed, according to his lawyer.
During the appeal trial which took place in Setif (north-west), the prosecution requested three years in prison, the same sentence as that handed down at first instance.
“We expected an acquittal because Walid Kechida did not do anything that deserves jail,” Maître Fouad Betka, a member of his defense committee, told AFP. But “he was sentenced to one year in prison, including 6 months fixed and 6 months suspended, and to a fine of 30,000 dinars (180 euros).”
Information confirmed by the National Committee for the Liberation of Prisoners (CNLD), an association that helps prisoners of conscience in Algeria. Walid Kechida, 25, will be able to leave prison this Sunday. He had been in detention since April 27, 2020.
“Finally, he is leaving prison today after 9 months of detention and a conviction against the background of an empty file and unfounded prosecutions, ”the vice-president of the Algerian League for Human Rights (LADDH ), Saïd Salhi.
Algérie, Walid Kechida libéré.
condamné aujourd'hui à Setif à un an de prison dont 6 mois ferme et 6 mois en sursis.
Soulagement, Il quitte la prison aujourd'hui après 09 mois de détention et une condamnation sur fonds d'un dossier vide et des poursuites infondées. pic.twitter.com/aPdKLyNRIf— said SALHI (@saidsalhi527) January 31, 2021
“Organized contempt”
Militant known to Algerian youth, supporter of “Hirak”, the popular protest movement born in February 2019, Mr. Kechida was prosecuted for “insulting the president (Abdelmadjid Tebboune)”, “the precepts of Islam” and “outrage to body constituted ”.
He was accused of having published memes – images which have been hijacked in a humorous way on social networks – concerning the authorities, in particular President Tebboune and religion.
These viral illustrations were posted on the “Hirak Memes” Facebook group, of which Mr. Kechida was the administrator.
Amnesty International and LADDH have called for the release of the activist from Sétif, whose case has become emblematic of the restrictions on freedoms in Algeria, especially on the internet, and for all charges against him to be dropped.
According to the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees, some 80 people are currently imprisoned in Algeria in connection with the “Hirak” protests and / or individual freedoms. Prosecutions based in at least 90% of cases on publications critical of the authorities on social networks.
