Algerian court confirms  5-year jail for French-Algerian writer

An Algerian court on Tuesday kept the five-year prison sentence for French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, Ennahar TV said. France is now asking Algeria to show mercy.

Sansal, 80, was living in France but got arrested during a visit to Algeria in November. In March, he was sentenced for “undermining national unity” after telling a French media outlet that Morocco’s claim on some territory taken by France and given to Algeria was valid.

Sansal denied doing anything wrong. He said he was only expressing his opinion and never meant to insult Algeria.

“France regrets the court’s decision to keep the sentence against our citizen Boualem Sansal,” said the French Foreign Ministry. It asked Algeria to show clemency, especially due to Sansal’s age and health, and find a quick, respectful solution.

French President Emmanuel Macron also asked for Sansal’s release after the March sentence.

Relations between France and Algeria have gotten worse since France recognized Morocco’s control over Western Sahara.

Algeria’s refusal to take back Algerians deported from France and Sansal’s arrest have made things even more tense.