Algeria: Novelist Boualem Sansal's sentence upheld on appeal
“We are outraged by the court’s decision to uphold Boualem Sansal's sentence, signalling a zero-tolerance policy towards government critics. Sansal’s persecution highlights the dreadful status of freedom of expression in today’s world, where writers are being arrested, face unfair trials, and imprisoned for their views. We call on Algerian authorities to quash Sansal’s conviction and release him immediately,” said Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International.
1 July 2025: PEN International strongly condemns the appeal court’s decision to uphold an unfair five-year sentence against prominent Franco-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, 80, and reiterates its call for his immediate and unconditional release. The organisation stresses that Sansal’s right to a fair trial, including his unhampered access to a lawyer of his choice, has been violated throughout his trial. The Algerian authorities have the obligation to ensure that Sansal has adequate and unhampered access to medical care, family visits, and a lawyer of his choosing, pending his release.
PEN International remains gravely concerned about the status of freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary in Algeria, and calls for the immediate release of all those imprisoned for their peaceful expression.
On 1 July 2025, an appeal court in Algeria upheld a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 500,000 Algerian dinars ($3,730) against Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, following his conviction on national security-related charges. During his appeal trial in June, the Algerian prosecutor sought to double the sentence against Sansal, who appeared in court without legal counsel. Sansal was convicted in March following an unfair trial on charges including “undermining national unity,” “insulting state institutions,” and “possessing media and publications threatening the country's security and stability” under article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code. He was questioned about his writings during his trial.
According to media sources, Sansal started a hunger strike in February 2025 in protest of his arbitrary imprisonment, further raising concerns about his health and well-being in custody while reportedly suffering from cancer. In the space of one month since his initial arrest on 16 November last year, Sansal has been hospitalised on two separate occasions due to his fragile health. Algerian authorities have reportedly pressured Sansal to change his French lawyer, who was denied an entry visa to Algeria, preventing him from representing Sansal before the court.
Background:
On 16 November 2024, Algerian authorities arrested Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal upon his arrival at Algiers airport, Algeria. His whereabouts remained unknown for over a week, during which he was denied access to his family and legal counsel, contrary to international law. Sansal was subjected to interrogations in the absence of his lawyer, in violation of his right to a fair trial. He was subsequently charged with national security-related offences under article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, a provision criticised by UN experts for its frequent use against government critics, including human rights defenders. According to his legal team, the charges are based on previous statements he made to the media that were interpreted as threatening Algeria's national security.
For more information on Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, click here: https://www.pen-international.org/cases/boualem-sansal
For more information on the situation of freedom of expression across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including Algeria, please see the PEN International 2024 MENA regional overview: https://www.pen-international.org/mena-overview-2025
Note to editors:
For further details contact Mina Thabet, Head of MENA Region at PEN International: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager, [email protected]