Journalist Ihsane El Kadi, founder of online media group “Radio M” and “Maghreb Emergent”, was arrested on Saturday by the Algerian police.
“Radio M” stated in a press release that the police raided “Interface Médias” headquarters wearing civilian clothes and took Ihsane El Kadi handcuffed.
The broadcaster published on its Facebook page that “Radio M” and “Maghreb Emergent” headquarters were thoroughly searched and sealed, and the equipment was seized.
Ihsane El Kadi was nabbed because of a complaint filed by Ammar Belhimmer, former Algerian Minister of Communication, against “Radio M”. El Kadi had published an article in March 2021 defending the right of Rachad movement to participate in the country’s Hirak (protests) to call for democracy.
The journalist was sentenced, in June, to serve six months in prison and pay a 50,000-Algerian dinar fine.
The family of the journalist said he is kept at the notorious “Antar” center where he is waiting for the decision of the Appeal court.