Amnesty International said on Thursday that Algerian authorities have intensified their crackdown on peaceful dissent through arbitrary arrests and unfair prosecutions, resulting in lengthy prison sentences, in what it described as a clear attempt to "crush all forms of expression and discontent" online.
In a new report, Amnesty revealed that at least 23 activists and journalists have been arrested or convicted over the past five months for supporting the “Manich Radi” protest campaign, launched in December 2024 to denounce restrictions on human rights and worsening socio-economic conditions in the country.
“The Algerian authorities’ approach to online activism is alarming and must change,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Nothing justifies the detention of individuals simply for expressing dissatisfaction with political and social conditions.”
The report details nine cases involving activists and journalists targeted for their online expressions. Seven of them were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 18 months to five years. Five were tried under expedited procedures that lacked fair trial guarantees, while others faced detention, writing bans, or travel restrictions.
Morayef added that “the recent wave of arbitrary arrests shows the Algerian authorities’ determination to crush all forms of online dissent.” She called for the immediate release of all those detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and for independent investigations into human rights violations.
The report is based on judicial rulings, legal documents, victims’ social media posts, interviews with 11 individuals who consented to share their information, and relevant media coverage.
It highlights the sentencing of Souhaib Debbaghi and Mehdi Bazzizi to 18 months in prison after launching the Manich Radi campaign. Debbaghi was convicted on charges of “spreading information harmful to national interest” and “inciting an unarmed gathering,” while Bazzizi was found guilty of “harboring a person to obstruct justice.”
In another case, poet and activist Mohamed Tagadit was sentenced to five years in prison in Algiers just four days after his arrest, based on politically themed posts and poetry using the hashtag #مانيش_راضي (Manich Radi). He was also fined a large sum.
Activist Belaid Sharfi was sentenced to four years for posting content in support of the campaign, while activist Fadila Hamas was arrested after sharing political posts on Facebook and now faces up to three years in prison.
Activist Abla Qamari Drama was sentenced to three years—one suspended—for posts criticizing social conditions in southern Algeria. Harsh sentences, including prison and heavy fines, were also handed down to activist Massinissa Lekhal over his Facebook activity.
Journalists were not spared, according to Amnesty. Abdelwahab Moulak was sentenced to 18 months in prison over a Facebook post, while journalist Mostafa Ben Jamaa was placed under judicial supervision and banned from traveling and publishing.
Amnesty concluded its report by noting that since the 2019 Hirak movement, Algerian authorities have increasingly used the judiciary to repress peaceful opposition, leading to a severe erosion of civil and political rights in the country.
