An Algerian court sentenced in absentia French-Algerian activist Amira Bouraoui, a 46-year-old medical doctor, to ten years in prison on Tuesday, sparking heightened concerns about the right to a fair trial in Algeria.
Bouraoui, known for participating in the “Hirak” protest movement and the earlier “Barakat” Movement against former President Bouteflika, had been charged with unlawfully leaving the country in February in defiance of an exit ban, when she crossed the border between Algeria and Tunisia. Despite Tunisian authorities’ attempt to send her back to Algeria, Bouraoui was able to flee to France just a few days later with the ostensible help of French diplomatic personnel.
The court also sentenced a number of people in connection with the case against Bouraoui. Journalist Mustapha Bendjama received a six-month term in prison for aiding Bouraoui’s escape. Bendjama, who had previously served nine months of “arbitrary incarceration,” was supposed to be released right away for time served. However, following the court’s verdict, his release is now in question.
Numerous other people allegedly engaged in helping Bouraoui also received prison terms. Ali Takaida, a border police agent, received a sentence of three years in prison. Khadija, Amira’s 71-year-old mother, was handed down a one-year suspended sentence for providing her daughter with her passport, which she then used to cross the border. Yacine Bentayeb, Amira’s cousin, and Djamel Miassi, the taxi driver who transported her, were both sentenced to six-month terms in prison.
The convictions stemmed from a variety of accusations, including “establishment of a criminal group,” “illegal exit from the national territory,” and “arranging an illegal migration by an organized criminal network.”
Bouraoui’s escape to France prompted a diplomatic row between Algeria and France, with Algeria accusing France of assisting in an illegal migration. Although the international contretemps has died down, the treatment of Bouraoui and her alleged co-conspirators continues to fuel concerns regarding Algeria’s violations of human rights, repression of political dissent, and lack of a fair justice system.