French Sports Journalist Sentenced to Seven Years in Algeria

Rabat – An Algerian court has sentenced French journalist Christophe Gleizesto seven years in prison, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). 

Algerian authorities arrested the 36-year-old freelance journalist, who writes for So Foot and Society magazines, in May 2024 while working on a story about an Algerian football club.

RSF and the journalist’s employer, So Press, described the verdict as “unjust” and confirmed that they will file an appeal today.

Converging reports said Gleizes wasy arrested in Tizi Ouzou on May 28, 2024, and placed under judicial supervision for over a year. The charges against him include entering the country with a tourist visa, “apology for terrorism,” and “possession of publications for propaganda purposes.” He was transferred directly to prison after being sentenced in a first-instance trial.

RSF believes the charges are politically motivated. The organization says that the “terrorism” accusation is linked to past contacts Gleizes had in 2015 and 2017 with the head of the football club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK), who is also involved in the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (MAK).

The organization says Algerian authorities labeled MAK a terrorist group in 2021;, years after Gleizes’ early contacts.

RSF added that Gleizes was transparent about a recent exchange with the same individual in 2024, which was solely to prepare his sports article.

“This sentence makes no sense,” said RSF’s director general, Thibaut Bruttin. “It only shows that today, nothing escapes politics, and the Algerian justice system missed an opportunity to act with fairness,” he added.

Franck Annese, the founder of So Press, also urged political and diplomatic efforts to help Gleizes return home. “Everything must be done to ensure justice is served, and that Christophe can reunite with his loved ones and colleagues,” he said.

The case comes in the wake of a major diplomatic rift between France and Algeria. Tensions have grown since French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support in 2024 for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

Relations worsened further after the arrest of French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal in November.