Russia Blocks Justice: Court Rejects Appeal from Journalists Linked to Alexei Navalny
December 4, 2025
US Lawmakers and Rights Groups Sound Alarm Over Israel’s Targeting of Journalists in Gaza
December 4, 2025
December 04, 2025 – France/Algeria –
Tensions between France and Algeria deepened this week after an Algerian appeals court upheld the seven-year prison sentence handed to French journalist Christophe Gleizes, prompting strong diplomatic criticism and renewed alarm from press-freedom organizations.
Gleizes, a freelance reporter and sports writer known for his work with the French magazines So Foot and Society, was arrested in May 2024 while traveling in the Kabylia region. He had reportedly entered Algeria on a tourist visa to work on a story involving a major local football club, Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK). Authorities later charged him with “glorifying terrorism” and possessing materials deemed harmful to national security — allegations tied to interviews he conducted with individuals linked to a separatist movement.
Despite appealing the conviction and expressing regret for any misunderstanding surrounding his reporting, the court on December 3 reaffirmed the original sentence. The ruling leaves Gleizes with few legal options, effectively shifting attention toward diplomatic channels as his last hope for release.
France’s foreign ministry issued a sharply worded statement following the decision, saying it “deeply regrets” the court’s ruling and calling for Gleizes to be freed without delay. French officials emphasized that he was performing legitimate journalistic work, warning that the sentence undermines fundamental press-freedom principles. The case adds new friction to an already strained bilateral relationship shaped by disputes over migration, historical grievances, and the treatment of journalists of French nationality in Algeria.
International press-freedom groups echoed France’s criticism. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the verdict as a “serious miscarriage of justice,” arguing that anti-terrorism laws are increasingly being used in Algeria to punish critical reporting rather than address genuine threats. RSF noted that Gleizes is now the only French journalist imprisoned abroad solely for his professional activities, raising broader concerns for foreign correspondents working in politically sensitive regions.
With the appeals process exhausted, attention has turned to whether Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune may consider a presidential pardon — an outcome advocates note is possible but far from guaranteed. For now, Gleizes remains behind bars, while press-freedom defenders warn that his case sends a chilling signal to journalists worldwide: in certain environments, even routine reporting can be recast as a national-security crime.
Refererence –
