Algiers, March 1, 2020 – An Algerian court on Sunday acquitted Fodil Boumala, a key figure in a protest movement that has rocked the country for over a year, his lawyer told AFP. Held in detention since his arrest in mid-September, Boumala was accused of “undermining (national) territorial integrity”, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He was also accused of distributing “publications that could undermine the national interest”, punishable by a year in prison. Boumala was highly active in the “Hirak” protest movement, an unprecedented popular initiative which emerged in February last year to demand then president Abdelaziz Bouteflika abandon a bid for a fifth term in office. He is likewise charged with “undermining (national) territorial integrity”, but is also accused of “violent actions” that sought to “impede the movementof military equipment”, said Benissad.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 02, 2020 19:30 UTC