فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Algeria, June 29, 2025 – The conviction of French freelance journalist Christophe Gleizes (36) to seven years in prison on charges of “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing publications aimed at propaganda harmful to national interests” by the Tizi Ouzou criminal court has sparked widespread shock and international condemnation. This case, which threatens to deepen tensions between Algeria and France, once again highlights the challenges facing press freedom in the region.
Gleizes, a sports journalist specializing in football and contributor to the French magazines So Foot and Society, was arrested on May 28, 2024, in the Algerian city of Tizi Ouzou while working on an investigative report about the JS Kabylie football club. Since then, he has been under judicial supervision for over a year, barred from leaving the country.
The charges against Gleizes are based on his communications in 2015 and 2017 with an official from the local football club, who is also a member of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), an organization classified by Algerian authorities as terrorist in 2021.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) confirmed that these contacts were professional and research-related and occurred before MAK was designated a terrorist group. The organization also clarified that Gleizes’s last contact in 2024 was related to preparing his report on JS Kabylie, which the journalist never concealed.
The verdict against Gleizes has provoked a wave of outrage from international organizations and media institutions. RSF described the decision as “meaningless,” emphasizing that Gleizes “was only doing his job as a journalist.” RSF Director-General Thibault Brethon stated that the ruling “reveals only one truth: nothing escapes politics today.”
Gleizes’s family expressed shock and called on the Algerian judiciary to reconsider the verdict, stressing his professional integrity. French and international media outlets such as France 24 and Ouest-France have followed the criticisms closely, highlighting the perceived injustice and the threat to press freedom in Algeria.
The Gleizes case emerges amid tense relations between Algeria and France, which recently saw reciprocal diplomatic expulsions and a freeze in certain collaborations, partly due to French President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Saharan independence—a highly sensitive issue for Algeria.
The conviction of Gleizes, alongside the case of Algerian-French writer Boualem Sansal, who is awaiting an appeal verdict in a similar freedom of expression case, could further exacerbate diplomatic tensions.
An appeal is scheduled for June 30, 2025, with a hearing expected in October 2025. No additional information about the appeal’s outcome is currently available, as legal proceedings continue. This step will be crucial in determining whether the sentence will be upheld, reduced, or overturned.
International organizations, led by RSF, continue to closely monitor the case, calling for a review of the decision to respect Gleizes’s fundamental rights.
This case raises serious concerns about press freedom in Algeria, especially regarding coverage of sensitive topics such as separatist movements. International criticism highlights the potential use of anti-terrorism laws to suppress freedom of expression, while Algerian authorities rely on the MAK’s classification to justify the verdict.
The case may deter foreign journalists from covering sensitive issues in Algeria, impacting the quality and diversity of available information. It raises questions about balancing national security with fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and the press.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name and Age | Christophe Gleizes, 36 years old |
| Profession | Freelance journalist, contributor to So Foot and Society |
| Date of Arrest | May 28, 2024 |
| Place of Arrest | Tizi Ouzou, Algeria |
| Charges | “Glorifying terrorism,” “Possession of harmful propaganda publications” |
| Basis of Charges | Contacts with MAK member, designated terrorist group in 2021 |
| Sentence | 7 years imprisonment with immediate custody, issued June 29, 2025 |
| International Reactions | RSF, So Press condemn verdict; calls for diplomatic efforts |
| Appeal | Scheduled for June 30, 2025; hearing in October 2025 |
| Geopolitical Context | Algerian-French tensions, diplomatic expulsions, Sahara dispute |
The Christophe Gleizes case underscores the challenges to press freedom amid geopolitical tensions and strict anti-terrorism laws. While international criticism points to perceived injustice, Algerian authorities cite national security concerns. The appeal outcome, expected in October 2025, will be pivotal for Gleizes’s future and Algerian-French relations. This case calls for a careful reconsideration of the delicate balance between national security and fundamental rights, especially freedom of expression and the press.
from: fesnews
