From Christophe Gleizes to Mourad Aït Mimoune: Journalists Are Behind Bars in Algeria

KHR – Kabyles for Human Rights expresses its grave concern over the reported arrest of Kabyle journalist Mourad Aït Mimoune, another deeply troubling development in Algeria’s continuing repression of independent journalists and critical voices.

Known for addressing the realities facing Kabylia, Mourad Aït Mimoune previously lost his platform at Dzair TV and his popular program, Tizi n Wassa. Refusing to be silenced, he continued his journalistic work independently through social media, denouncing censorship and giving visibility to issues and voices too often excluded from mainstream coverage.

His reported arrest, shortly after speaking out against censorship of Berber TV, which is subservient to the Algerian military regime, and aligned with its propaganda. In fact, during the 28th anniversary of the assassination of Lounès Matoub, Kabyles commemorated the date of his killing, gathered at his grave, and chanted in French language “pouvoir assassin” (Algerian criminal regime). Therefore, Berber TV, while reporting, didn't broadcast the reality by muting, faking and altering what was chanted by the crowd.

His arrest raises serious concerns about press freedom, freedom of expression, and the safety of journalists in Algeria.

His case is not isolated. French journalist Christophe Gleizes is also behind bars. From Christophe Gleizes to Mourad Aït Mimoune, these cases reflect a broader and deeply alarming pattern of pressure, intimidation, and imprisonment directed at journalists and independent voices.

KHR organization unequivocally condemns the imprisonment of journalists for carrying out their professional duties or exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression. A free and independent press is not a threat; it is an essential pillar of any society that claims to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

KHR calls on the Algerian authorities to respect their international human rights obligations, guarantee the safety and freedom of journalists, and end the use of detention and imprisonment as tools to silence independent voices.

Journalists must be free to investigate, question, and report without fear of censorship, intimidation, arbitrary detention, or imprisonment.

Journalism is not a crime. Freedom of expression is not a crime.