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A young Algerian supporter of the Hirak movement to protest against the regime was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday for posting memes that mocked President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and religion, a lawyer said.
“Walid Kechida was unfortunately sentenced to three years in prison with a fine. It is serious because we expected his release today or even to be found innocent,” said Kaci Tansaout, coordinator of the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees (CNLD), an association that helps prisoners of conscience in Algeria.
“Now we must all mobilize together with the lawyers in the appeal process”, Tansaout added.
The sentence was confirmed by one of the lawyers, Moumen Chadi.
The Setif prosecution had requested five years in prison against Kechida, 25, Accused of “offending the president”, “the precepts of Islam” and “insulting a constituted body”.
The activist, known to the young people of Setif, has been in pretrial detention for more than eight months for posting memes on social networks, related to the authorities and religion.
Many opponents and activists of Hirak have been arrested, tried and convicted in Algeria in a climate of repression against opponents, independent media and bloggers.
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