Following the arrest of French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, his lawyer, François Zimeray, has pledged to ensure “his fair trial,” in a statement to Agence France Press on Sunday.
“Arresting writers for their opinions always constitutes an attack on fundamental freedoms,” said Zimeray, a human rights attorney and former French Ambassador to Denmark.
Sansal was arrested on Saturday, November 16 upon arrival at the Algiers airport. The writer is known for his outspoken nature and public critique of the Algerian government and religious fundamentalism.
Zimeray added in his statement: “We will be vigilant about respecting his right to a fair trial, in line with Algeria’s international commitments.”
Sansal, whose parents are Moroccan, was missing for six days before Algerian authorities confirmed his arrest. Algeria accused him of “colluding with the enemy,” likely referring to Morocco.
Sansal’s fate has raised alarm among political and literary circles in France and beyond. Philippe Claudel, President of the Académie Goncourt, described the silence surrounding Sansal’s disappearance as “very concerning” in an interview with France Info on Sunday.
“The literary world is rallying, but this mobilization is symbolic, as we have no power,” he lamented.
Algerian state news agency “APS” criticized France on Friday for defending “a denier who challenges Algeria’s existence, independence, history, sovereignty, and borders.”
These developments come amid strained diplomatic relations between France and Algeria. Tensions escalated after France supported Morocco’s Sahara Autonomy Plan in late July.