Algeria Adjourns Trial of Prominent Politician under Coronavirus Conditions
Arab World
Algeria - Boualem Goumrassa
Algeria’s prominent political activist and leader in the Hirak movement, Karim Tabbou, will face court on June 1 after refusing to be tried remotely under the novel coronavirus pandemic. This coincided with Amnesty International’s regional office calling on the African country to stop the persecution of Hirak movement activists during the virus crisis. Tabbou, 47, was first detained on September 12 2019, then released on 25 September only to be re-arrested a second time the following day. Tabbou was charged with “undermining the integrity of the national territory” in the second case. He is a leading figure in the Hirak protest movement against the Algerian regime. He was accused particularly for his calls for demonstrations and his publications on social networks. A month ago, the Ministry of Justice decided to stop bringing the accused persons to trial from prison, in line with the procedures for quarantine and social distancing. Remote trials were offered, but many rejected the proposal. Algerian law gives the right to the defense of the accused to request the adjournment of his or her case, and the judge can refuse if they see that presented arguments are not convincing. Meanwhile, Amnesty International published a statement on its website demanding the halt of arbitrary prosecutions aimed at silencing Hirak activists and journalists amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The organization is calling for everyone targeted by these sham trials to be released immediately,” Amnesty’s statement said. Between 7 March and 13 April alone, at least 20 activists were either summoned for interrogation by the police, or arrested and held in pretrial detention, or sentenced on charges stemming from their exercise of their right to freedom of speech or peaceful assembly in six cities in Algeria, according to human rights lawyers. “At the time when all national and international eyes are focused on the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Algerian authorities are investing time in accelerating prosecutions and trials against activists, journalists and supporters of the Hirak movement,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Director. “The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all peaceful activists detained solely for expressing their views online and offline and/or calling for a democratic change. By arresting and imprisoning activists, the authorities are not only punishing them for their free speech, but also endangering their health given the risks of a COVID 19 outbreak in prison."
from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2256756/algeria-adjourns-trial-prominent-politician-under-coronavirus-conditions
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