Rabat – The Algerian government dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments on the detention of writer Boualem Sansal, calling them “an unacceptable intrusion in Algeria’s internal affairs.”
Macron’s statements, made during a meeting with French ambassadors on Monday, accused Algeria of “dishonoring itself” by keeping the old Algerian writer in custody while he requires medical treatment.
As reported by AFP, in a strongly worded response on Tuesday, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Macron’s remarks, stating, “These comments dishonor the person who made them with such frivolity. They are to be rejected outright as they constitute a brazen and unacceptable interference in a sovereign matter.”
Algeria refutes Macron’s framing of the case as a freedom of expression issue.
Their ministry explained, “What the French president falsely describes as a free speech matter concerns the integrity of Algeria’s territory, a serious offense under our legal framework.”
On Monday, Macron called on Algeria to free Sansal, who has been detained since mid-November.
Addressing diplomats at the Élysée Palace, Macron described Sansal as “gravely ill” and accused Algerian authorities of preventing him from seeking proper medical care.
“The Algeria we admire and share so much with cannot allow itself to act in this way. I urge its government to release Boualem Sansal immediately,” Macron said.
The French president then referred to Sansal as “ a fighter for freedom” who is being held under “arbitrary detention” by Algerian authorities.
Sansal, a vocal critic of Algeria’s leadership, was arrested at Algiers airport and charged with “threatening state security” for his caustic criticism of Algeria’s regime.
His detention comes amid heightened tensions between Algeria and France, especially following Macron’s endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
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