Algeria’s Hirak Condemns Corruption, Freedom Suppression

Arab World

March 7th, 8:39am

Algiers - Boualem Goumrassa

Anti-government protests in the center of Algiers, Algeria (File photo: AFP)

Algerian security forces have briefly arrested a number of prominent Hirak leaders on the movement’s 55th week of protests to prevent them from taking part in the rallies. Hundreds took to the streets of Constantine, Annaba, and the large cities of the east to denounce corruption and the suppression of freedoms. They condemned the media, especially state-owned television and private channels, for not covering the protests under government orders. Protesters carried posters of political activist Karim Tabou, who has been in jail for the past five months on charges of “contributing to weakening the army's morale.” The court will issue its final verdict in his case next week, after the prosecution sought a sentence of four years in prison. On Monday, Tabou confirmed during his trial that he was tortured by the security services while in detention. The protesters also called for the release of President of Youth Action Rally (RAJ) Abdelwahab Fersaoui. RAJ is considered one of the most active organizations in the movement and demonstrated the ability to mobilize the masses, prompting the authorities to arrest all its leaders. Activists also announced that policeman Toufik Hassani has been arrested for supporting the Hirak, and could be dismissed in line with police laws. Hassani was sent to trial but was released last week. Hassani later joined the protests in “Maurice Audin” square to extend his strong support to the demonstrations. Several cities in tribal areas, east of the country, as well as Haizer in Bouira province, went on strike where residents protested the arrest of activists who participated in the demonstrations in Algiers. Amnesty International issued a statement urging Algerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all peaceful protesters who have been detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. The organization said it will be monitoring the protests and called for the authorities to allow people to freely exercise their human rights and not to target peaceful protesters. Since December, at least 76 protesters have been arbitrarily detained amid a continuing wave of arrests by the authorities, including civil society activists, journalists, and political leaders who are now “facing a range of charges based on offenses in the penal code, including “unarmed gathering”, “harming national security”, “harming the army’s morale” and “offending public officials.”” Amnesty International’s Research and Advocacy MENA Director Philip Luther indicated that the Algerian authorities are deploying the threat of criminal trials against dozens of peaceful protesters, apparently in a bid to intimidate and silence critical voices. “The use of trumped-up charges related to national security and the military is particularly outrageous," adding that persecuting peaceful protesters is "certainly not the response Algerians who have taken to the streets and demanded wide-ranging reforms were waiting for."

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2167456/algeria%E2%80%99s-hirak-condemns-corruption-freedom-suppression