The Algerian National People’s Assembly strongly denounced French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent statements regarding the arrest of writer Boualem Sansal, noting that they represent blatant interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The Council’s office confirmed in a statement following a meeting chaired by Council President Ibrahim Boughali on Monday that “Algeria, which suffered from the most horrific violations during the French colonial era, categorically rejects any external interference or receiving lessons in the field of human rights and freedoms,” expressing its strong condemnation of what He described it as “irresponsible statements issued by the French President” regarding the issue of the arrest of writer Boualem Sansal.
The Council said in its statement, “Such statements represent a blatant interference in Algeria’s internal affairs, and an attack on its sovereignty and dignity regarding an issue under consideration in accordance with Algerian laws,” considering Macron’s statements “a blatant attempt to distort the image of Algeria and its sovereign institutions.”
The Council stressed that “such actions remain unacceptable by the general Algerian people, and they will not affect their independent path, but rather will increase their strength and determination to protect their sovereignty and dignity,” calling on the French authorities to “adhere to the rules of international relations based on mutual respect.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech he delivered on the occasion of the annual meeting of French ambassadors on Monday: “Algeria is entering into a story that humiliates it by preventing a seriously ill man from obtaining treatment,” referring to the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, calling on the Algerian government to release him.
It is noteworthy that Boualem Sansal, 75 years old, is imprisoned on charges of endangering state security, after he was arrested when trying to enter Algeria through Houari Boumediene Airport. He has been detained in the care unit since mid-December.
The famous writer was charged with many charges, some of which were related to the crime of espionage with foreign parties, after previous statements he made, which sparked controversy and were considered offensive to the history of Algeria and its national unity, as he said that “cities in western Algeria were historically part of Morocco, such as Tlemcen, Oran, and Mascara.”
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described Sansal as a “thief whose identity and father are unknown,” accusing him of seeking to make Algerians doubt the territorial integrity of their homeland.
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