Our Son Massinissa Is in Danger: We Request Immediate Answers and Protection

On the right side, the son–Massinissa Lakehal, detained and in danger in Algeria’s prison, on the left side, Ammer Lakehal, the father, who’s exiled in Canada

( Makuda, Kabylia)–We, the family of Massinissa, are publicly denouncing the alarming situation he is currently facing. Subjected to secretive and inhumane treatment, our son is now detained under conditions that raise serious concerns for his health, safety, and even his life.

On July 24, 2025, family members went, as they do every week, to visit Massinissa at Tizi-Ouzou prison, where he had been held since August 2024. To their shock, they were told he was no longer there. Prison authorities merely stated:

“He has been transferred.”

But when asked where, the only response was:

“We don’t know. And even if we did, we wouldn’t be allowed to tell you.”

The next day, after extensive efforts, we learned that Massinissa had allegedly been sent back to Blida prison. However, when we arrived there on July 31, he was not present. Authorities then redirected us to Boufarik, then Berrouaghia in Médéa. After a grueling journey of several hundred kilometers, we finally found him—briefly.

During this short visit, Massinissa told us that he would soon be transferred again, this time to Tazoult (Lambèze) prison in Batna, one of Algeria’s most infamous detention centers, located over 400 km from our home.

Concerning signs of mistreatment

Massinissa appeared physically weak and ill, with visible reddish marks on his chest and neck. We are deeply concerned that he may have been poisoned or subjected to physical abuse. No lawyer has been able to visit him since these repeated transfers, effectively denying him legal defense.

According to medical professionals, such symptoms could indicate exposure to toxic substances. The ongoing forced relocations, isolation, and total lack of transparency from authorities only heighten our fears.

We demand:

1.The immediate disclosure of Massinissa’s current location;

2. Urgent access to a lawyer and an independent doctor;

3. An international investigation into the conditions of his detention and the treatment he has endured.

Our son is being held in degrading and illegal conditions, in clear violation of his most basic human rights.

We call on human rights organizations, the media, the international community, and the Kabyle diaspora to raise their voices and share this message. Silence is complicity.

Latest update

According to the information we received on Sunday, July 3, 2025, Massinissa would have been poisoned. The source of this information is a leak from the prison administration, which says it cannot confirm whether this happened in the Tizi-ouzou prison where he was detained for 11 months, during his transfer/transit or in the prison where he is currently.