Madjid Aggad Sentenced to 4 Years Jail for Possessing A Phone Number With A French Country Code

Madjid Aggad — a peaceful Kabyle activist and political prisoner— has been sentenced on an appeal trial, on October 12, 2025 to 4 years in prison by the Algerian  court of Tuviret.

This is a second condemnation that was issued to him, after he served a previous sentence of 2  years, then swiftly brought back to custody in July 2024.

Renowned for his peaceful commitment and dedication to the Kabylia’s cause, Madjid Aggad has never harmed anyone or broken any law. His only offense is defending the dignity of his people and campaigning, without violence, for the recognition of the rights of the Kabyle people. 

During his appeal trial, prosecutors —deeply animated by hostility and contempt—indicated  him simply because  he possesses in his phone, a phone number that has a French code, registered under the name “FF”, an alleged  proof of a connection with “Ferhat France”. They assumed that “FF”, is  Ferhat Mehenni: President of Kabylia Self-determination Movement, exiled in France.

This an absurd accusation, an insignificant detail and  a dystopian verdict  inflicted on an innocent man who’s standing up for justice.

This arbitrary verdict demonstrates the weaponizing of the Algerian judiciary system to quell voices of hope and freedom.

KHR organization denounces this arbitrary verdict, and calls for his immediate release.