France again voices concern over detention of writer by Algeria

In a recent press briefing by a Foreign Ministry spokesperson France has again raised concerns over the detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who has been imprisoned in Algeria since November. The 80-year-old author faces accusations of endangering state security, a charge seen as a pretext to suppress dissent. The French Foreign Ministry stated: “we remain deeply concerned about the detention of Boualem Sansal. Freedom of opinion and expression are rights we will tirelessly uphold,” adding that consular protections were being afforded to Sansal.