The Dar El Beida court, in the Algerian capital, today sentenced the naturalized French Algerian writer Boualem Sansal to five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 dinars (3,571 euros).
According to international media, Sansal was found guilty of "attacking national unity, insulting an established body, acts harmful to the national economy, and possession of videos and publications that threaten the security and stability of the country."
The sentence also includes the seizure of equipment and materials that were in the writer's possession when he was arrested at Algiers airport in mid-November, after arriving from Paris.
During the trial held last Thursday at the Dar El Beida court, east of Algiers, the public prosecutor had requested 10 years in prison for the writer and a fine of one million dinars (7,150 euros). Responding to the judge, Sansal denied all the charges against him, saying he was "simply exercising his right to freedom of expression."
The defendant, who appeared to be in good health, had stated, according to Algerian media, that he "never intended to harm the state" and that he "was not aware that some of his statements could be offensive to national institutions." (A2 Televizion)
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