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November 1, 2024 – Algeria –
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued a presidential pardon freeing prominent journalist Ihsane El Kadi, who had been detained since December 2022. This act coincided with national celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Algeria’s Independence War, and included the release of over 4,000 prisoners—a gesture welcomed by press freedom advocates.
El Kadi, 65, is a central figure of Algeria’s independent media scene. He founded Maghreb Emergent and Radio M, key platforms during the 2019 Hirak protest movement. In April 2023, he was convicted under charges falsely alleging “foreign financing” and “undermining state security,” receiving a five-year sentence, later increased to seven years on appeal. His charges were tied to funds reportedly sent by his London-based daughter to pay staff, not covert external financing.
The raid on El Kadi’s home and the forced closure of his outlets signaled a broader crackdown under President Tebboune’s regime. Radio M and Maghreb Emergent were dissolved, their assets seized, and El Kadi fined approximately 11.7 million dinars.
El Kadi’s detention sparked international solidarity. A high-profile petition led by Reporters Without Borders amassed over 20,000 signatures. The European Parliament, Amnesty International, and global press organizations like RSF and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) demanded his release and the reinstatement of his media outlets.
RSF expressed “immense relief” and called for an end to press restrictions in Algeria, which ranks 139th in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The IFJ praised the pardon but urged authorities to lift bans on El Kadi’s outlets and ensure long-term protections for journalism in the nation.
Despite his release, pressing concerns remain. His media institutions stay shuttered, and both his and his wife’s passports were seized, restricting their movement. Their continued closure symbolizes persistent restrictions on independent media within Algeria.
El Kadi’s freedom marks a pivotal moment, one that raises hope for improved press freedoms. But activists warn real reform requires more than pitying reprieves—it demands legal protections, restitution for closed media, and a genuine commitment to democratic journalism.
Reference –
https://rsf.org/en/algeria-journalist-ihsane-el-kadi-free-after-presidential-pardon
