Franco-Algerian Writer Boualem Sansal Sentenced to Five Years in Algeria

The expedited trial and imprisonment of the 80-year-old writer have intensified diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France, with calls for his release and speculation of a potential presidential pardon.

Boualem Sansal, a Franco-Algerian author, was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 500,000 dinars by an Algerian court for charges including 'undermining national unity.'
The charges stem from statements supporting Morocco's territorial claims over parts of Algeria, made in a French far-right media outlet.
Sansal's trial, lasting only 20-30 minutes, has been widely criticized for its lack of due process, including the absence of a proper defense.
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly urged Algerian authorities to act with humanity and release Sansal, citing his age and health condition.
There is growing speculation about a possible presidential pardon by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, potentially tied to national holidays or diplomatic negotiations.