Sports Reporter Detained on Basis of Terrorism Accusations
In a surprising turn of events, Christophe Gleizes, an independent French sports journalist, has been sentenced to seven years in an Algerian prison. The sentence comes after two weeks of intense court proceedings in Algeria.
Gleizes, who traveled to Algeria last year to cover stories related to the country's soccer scene, was arrested shortly after entering the country. The charges against him were based on interviews he conducted in 2015 and 2017, years before a terrorist designation was imposed on Algeria in 2021. He was accused of 'apology for terrorism' and harboring 'harmful propaganda' against Algeria's national interest.
Despite the bizarre nature of the charges, Gleizes remained behind bars, with a ban on leaving Algeria, even for his brother's wedding. His mother and partner were able to visit him during his detention.
Meanwhile, the French government actively intervened, providing consular support and diplomatic efforts to secure Gleizes's release. France warned that if Algeria didn't start accepting deportees, other aspects of a long-standing migratory agreement between the nations might be invalidated.
The world of soccer is highly political, as readers of yesterday's newsletter will have noticed. This is not the first time the sport has been embroiled in political controversies. Soccer in North Africa has more than its fair share of strange characters, as demonstrated by the interview with Fergie Chambers, an heir to the Cox media fortune in the US who sponsors a club in Tunisia.
The diplomatic crisis between France and Algeria continues to escalate, with charges and convictions brought against some of the influencers in France, and further back-and-forth on the question of deportations to Algeria.
This sentence is the harshest punishment received by a French journalist in a decade, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The organization has called for the immediate release of Christophe Gleizes and for a fair and transparent investigation into the charges against him.
Gleizes, known for his engaged approach to his work, has passed his time in Algeria writing, exercising, and teaching chess to autistic children. Despite the challenging circumstances, he continues to maintain his optimism and determination to return to his work as a journalist.
The French government, along with press-freedom groups and Gleizes's family and publisher, have remained relatively silent about the arrest, apparently on the advice of France's foreign ministry. However, the international community is watching closely as this story unfolds, hoping for a swift resolution and the release of Christophe Gleizes.
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