Joint statement demands immediate release of Algerian Hirak poet Mohamed Tadjadit risking a death penalty sentence ahead of November 11 hearing

Mohamed Tadjadit @LydiaSaidi

10 November 2025: PEN International joins 19 Algerian, regional, and international organisations in calling for the immediate release of Algerian Hirak poet and activist Mohamed Tadjadit, who faces baseless terrorism-related charges and the threat of a death sentence ahead of his November 11 court hearing.

Ahead of upcoming court dates on 11 and 30 November 2025, 20 leading Algerian, regional and international organisations reiterate their calls on the Algerian authorities to drop all charges and release poet and activist Mohamed Tadjadit and his 12 co-defendants.

Mohamed Tadjadit along with 12 other activists, six of whom are currently detained, two in exile and four who are free pending trial, are facing baseless terrorism-related and “conspiracy against the state” charges punishable by death as the maximum sanction possible. The persecution of Tadjadit is based on his poetry and peaceful activism, making his continued imprisonment a violation of his fundamental rights. His prosecution sends an alarming signal to others who raise their voices for human rights and the rule of law in Algeria.

Tadjadit has long faced judicial harassment for his involvement in the Hirak movement that erupted in February 2019 to oppose the 5th term of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Although the President resigned, the protesters continued to demonstrate, calling for political reforms and stronger human rights protections, despite a swift and harsh crackdown by the authorities. The authorities imprisoned Tadjadit at least six times between 2019 and 2025, for his artistic expression and political activism. Judicial authorities are now accusing Tadjadit of terrorism and “conspiracy against the state” on the basis of his political activism expressed through his poetry.

After being released under a presidential pardon from a previous period of detention in November 2024, the authorities arrested him again two months later on politically motivated charges. Following an expedited trial hearing, a judge sentenced him to five years in prison, which was later reduced to one year on appeal.

Mohamed Tadjadit has been shortlisted for the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards in recognition of his courageous and creative commitment to civilian rule, human rights, and democratic accountability in Algeria. His continued persecution, as well as the imprisonment of other protesters and prisoners of conscience, is a serious breach of Algeria’s obligations to international human rights law. We will continue to follow developments in these proceedings.

Mohamed Tadjadit is a poet and activist and should not be in prison. We call for him to be released and for all charges to be dropped.

Signed by:

PEN International
Index on Censorship
Freemuse
Justitia Center for the Legal Protection of Human Rights in Algeria
Riposte Internationale
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
MENA Rights Group
Liberté Algérie
Shoaa For Human Rights
La Confédération Syndicale des Forces Productives (COSYFOP)
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
PEN America
ARC - Artists at Risk Connection EuroMed Rights
Amnesty International PEN International
Adala For All association (AFA)
La Fondation pour la promotion des droits
Comité des Familles des Disparus en Algérie (CFDA)
Comité de Sauvegarde de la Ligue Algérienne des Droits de l’Homme (CS-LADDH)
Committee for Justice (CFJ)