Algeria condemns French magazine after deporting journalist

Algeria rebuked a France-based magazine for "hostile positions" after barring one of its journalists, an Algerian, from entering the country.

Farid Alilat, a reporter for the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique based in Paris, was expelled last week after landing in Algiers, according to AFP. 

"Alilat is an Algerian citizen, but at the same time, he is a journalist at an unwanted magazine," the country's communications minister, Mohamed Laagab, said.

Alilat said in a Facebook post following his expulsion April 13 that he was held in police custody for 11 hours and questioned about his writings and the magazine.

Algerian authorities have long criticized Jeune Afrique for painting a grim and inaccurate picture of the country, and favoring its regional rival,Morocco.

Algeria is set to hold presidential elections in September. Current President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has banned demonstrations, and increased legal action against opponents, activists, and journalists. 

Several journalists are imprisoned in Algeria which ranks 136 out of 180 countries and territories in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.