Algeria: Activist And Poet Faces Five Years In Prison
On 20 January 2025, the Rouiba court in Algiers convicted activist Mohamed Tadjadit, 31, also known as the "poet of the Hirak" under expedited trial proceedings, sentencing him to five years in prison and a fine of DZD 200,000 (EUR 1,342), solely based on content he posted on Facebook and TikTok in which he criticized the Algerian government and online communications with other activists. The charges stemmed from his posts relaying the “#Manich_Radi” hashtag (I am not satisfied) – popularized by Hirak activists in December 2024 as part of a social media campaign to protest the current political and socioeconomic conditions in Algeria -- and his poetry with political messages denouncing various injustices. He is currently held at El Harrach prison in Algiers. An appeal trial is set for 17 April 2025, after several postponements.
The Rouiba court found him guilty of “undermining national unity”, “publishing content harmful to national interest” “inciting unarmed gatherings” and “offending public bodies” respectively under Articles 79, 96, 100 and 146 of the Penal Code – provisions which lack legal clarity and do not sanction a legitimate offense under international law. The prosecution accused the activist of sharing subversive content that incited public disorder and distrust for public institutions, which they claim was exploited by foreign parties against Algeria, specifically the Moroccan press and an Israeli social media account. Such content included videos in which Mohamed Tadjadit recited his poems and posts calling for the return of the Hirak movement, as well as those calling for a “civil, not military, state”, criticizing recent political and judicial decisions and defending freedom of expression.
Between 2019 and 2024, Mohamed Tadjadit was detained and prosecuted in at least six different cases, all related to his exercise of his right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Mohamed Tadjadit stated publicly that he has been subjected to constant police surveillance and harassment. The activist is currently prosecuted in at least one other case for bogus terrorism charges, for which he spent nine months in pre-trial detention between January and November 2024. On 1 November 2024, authorities released Mohamed Tadjadit as part of a broader presidential pardon for prisoners, which included at least 23 detained activists and journalists.
On 23 January 2025, the European Parliament issued a resolution which includes a call for Mohamed Tadjadit's release.
Since the outbreak of the “Hirak” protests in 2019, demanding broad political reforms, the Algerian authorities have maintained a brutal crackdown on peaceful dissent by arresting, detaining and convicting activists, journalists and ordinary citizens expressing opposition to the government or other opinions critical of the regime. The use of vague terrorism charges to prosecute peaceful protesters and critics of the regime has become a common tool for suppressing human rights.