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Algerian court upholds five-year sentence for Boualem Sansal amid geopolitical tensions
An Algerian court has upheld the five-year prison sentence against historian and novelist Boualem Sansal, rejecting his appeal for release on compassionate grounds. The ruling, announced today, has drawn fresh criticism from French authorities and human rights advocates, who see the case as part of a broader geopolitical standoff.
Arrest and initial conviction
Sansal, a renowned Algerian writer celebrated for his literary contributions and recipient of multiple French literary awards, was arrested in November 2024. His detention followed an interview with a French media outlet in which he claimed that France unfairly ceded Moroccan territory to Algeria during the colonial period.
In March 2025, an Algerian court sentenced Sansal to five years in prison and imposed a $3,500 fine. Despite his declining health due to cancer and other serious conditions, the court rejected appeals for leniency, a decision that has intensified international scrutiny.
French condemnation and diplomatic fallout
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Algeria’s treatment of Sansal earlier this year, calling his imprisonment “a disgrace” and criticizing the Algerian regime for denying adequate medical care to a gravely ill man. Macron also linked Sansal’s case to broader tensions between Algeria and France, which have worsened since France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Sahara in 2022.
The French Prime Minister joined Macron in expressing dismay over the court’s decision, urging Algeria to demonstrate empathy and resolve the matter “swiftly and humanely.” However, analysts suggest that Algeria’s actions reflect its geopolitical positioning rather than domestic judicial considerations.
Geopolitical undercurrents
Critics argue that Sansal’s arrest and conviction are part of Algeria’s broader strategy to challenge French interests and retaliate against France’s support for Morocco. Algeria has long backed the Polisario Front, a separatist group opposing Morocco’s territorial claims in Sahara. The Algerian regime continues to finance, arm, and train Polisario militias, further straining relations with Morocco and its allies.
The case has also highlighted Algeria’s human rights record, with observers accusing the regime of using judicial rulings to suppress dissent and target individuals critical of its policies.
Possible presidential pardon
There is speculation that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune might consider granting Sansal a pardon during Algeria’s Independence Day celebrations on Saturday. However, no official indications suggest that such a gesture is forthcoming. The decision to uphold Sansal’s sentence is likely to deepen diplomatic rifts and reinforce perceptions of Algeria’s authoritarian governance.
As Sansal remains imprisoned, his case continues to symbolize the intersection of personal injustice and geopolitical rivalry, drawing the attention of international observers and human rights organizations alike.