Upcoming trials for journalists and activists in Algeria amid widespread international criticism

Upcoming trials reveal the face of repression: The Algerian regime faces a wide-ranging freedom crisis

Courts in Algeria are preparing to schedule a series of high-profile cases in the coming weeks, involving several journalists and human rights activists, according to defense lawyers. Observers suggest these trials could result in the release of some detainees if the judicial sentences are less than the time they have already served in pretrial detention, a measure that continues to draw a barrage of local and international human rights criticism.

A blacklist of prosecutions: Media and human rights names facing the judiciary

These outstanding legal cases include prominent figures in the media and human rights landscape, such as journalist Abdelali Mezghiche, whose file was recently referred to the misdemeanor court, and journalist and activist Abdelwakil Belam, whose trial has been postponed repeatedly, as well as the cases of journalist and human rights activist Hassan Bouras and journalist Mourad Atimimo.

In the case of Abdelali Mezghiche, his lawyer, Fatiha Rouibi, announced that the Chéraga court was notified of the investigating judge’s decision to refer his client’s file to the misdemeanor court, pending the scheduling of the trial session, after he spent more than seven months in pretrial detention at the Koléa prison. Mezghiche faces multiple charges, including “displaying posts that could harm national interest” and “incitement to unarmed gathering,” based on posts on his Facebook page.

Continued pretrial detention and rising voices condemning human rights violations

The case of journalist and activist Abdelwakil Belam remains stagnant while awaiting trial after repeated postponements. He has been in pretrial detention since January 2025 amid serious accusations related to “participating in a terrorist organization” and “spreading false news,” charges that have been frequently employed by the Algerian regime to strike at activists and opponents. Furthermore, the case of journalist and human rights activist Hassan Bouras remains under investigation after his arrest last April, amid explicit UN calls for his immediate release following the deterioration of his health due to a hunger strike.

These developments solidify a state of systematic restriction on freedom of the press and expression in Algeria, where human rights voices are calling out the authorities’ abuse of pretrial detention and the use of vague legal texts, such as Article 87 bis of the Penal Code, to stifle free voices and silence any attempt to criticize official policies.