[ad_1]
Prosecutors in Algeria are seeking an 18-month prison sentence for a journalist on charges including defamation, a penalty Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has slammed as “disproportionate.”
The communications ministry has accused Abdelhakim Setouane, editor-in-chief of Arabic-language news site Essafir Broadcast, of “defamation,” “invasion of privacy,” “journalistic blackmail,” and “publishing malicious information.”
The accusations stem from an article alleging the speaker of the lower house of parliament was having an extra-marital affair, the media rights group said Monday.
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The court in Sidi M’hamed on Monday sought 18 months in jail for Setouane, who has been in custody since October 20.
RSF in a statement called the proposed penalty “disproportionate” and called for the journalist’s immediate release.
Algerian media said the verdict was expected on March 29.
Algerian authorities have detained and prosecuted a number of journalists in recent months.
Among them is Khaled Drareni, founder of online news site the Casbah Tribune and a correspondent for RSF and French-language TV5 Monde.
Drareni was provisionally released last month following a presidential pardon.
“An unstable political environment is increasing the threats to the freedom to inform in Algeria,” according to RSF.
“As a result of judicial harassment, the Algerian media struggle to fulfil their role.”
RSF ranked Algeria 146 out of 180 countries and territories in its 2020 World Press Freedom Index, a 27-place drop since 2015.
Read more:
Paris defends media freedom after news channel threatened by Algerian government
Algeria prepares law to withdraw nationality of people threatening state
Algerian president sets June 12 for early legislative elections
59 Algerian pro-democracy activists released from jail: Justice ministry
Algerian students hit streets in anti-government protests
[ad_2]
Source link