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Algeria Pardons Writer Amid Tensions with France

11/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Algeria pardoned Boualem Sansal, an 81-year-old French-Algerian writer, after a year in detention for undermining national unity.
The pardon followed a request from Germany, highlighting strained Algeria-France relations.
Sansal's arrest stemmed from comments about France's colonial history, angering Algerian authorities.
Human rights advocates condemn Algeria's anti-terrorism laws used to muzzle dissent, including journalist Christophe Gleizes.

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Story summary

Algeria pardoned Boualem Sansal, an 81-year-old French-Algerian writer, after a year in detention for undermining national unity.
The pardon followed a request from Germany, highlighting strained Algeria-France relations.
Sansal's arrest stemmed from comments about France's colonial history, angering Algerian authorities.
Human rights advocates condemn Algeria's anti-terrorism laws used to muzzle dissent, including journalist Christophe Gleizes.