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Rabat – An Algerian court sentenced the leader of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), Ferhat Mehenni, to life imprisonment. He was sentenced in absentia on Monday.
Algeria’s news agency APS reported that Mehenni faced several charges, including “creating a terrorist organization and undermining territorial integrity and national unity.”
The MAK leader currently lives in France.
Algeria’s government labeled MAK as a “terrorist organization” in 2021 following the arrest of activists accused of planning car bombs. Algeria presented no evidence proving MAK’s involvement in the attributed charges.
Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense issued a communique, claiming that it dismantled a “criminal” and “separatist” cell composed of MAK supporters. The ministry further claimed that the arrested cell members were in possession of automatic weapons and explosives and were planning “attacks and criminal acts” against Algerian interests and sovereignty.
Many UN experts and EU members expressed concerns about the abuse of human rights and the repression of activists and journalists in Algeria.
The experts also expressed concerns about Algeria’s use of its anti-terrorism law to prosecute activists.
In October, the movement carried out a protest in Paris to denounce the censorship of Mehenni’s interview in a French television channel.
French journalist Ivan Rioufol’s interview with Mehenni was canceled a few minutes before it was set to be broadcast live.
Mehenni accused Algeria’s regime of convincing the French presidency to call off the interview.
