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IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - ALGERIA
13 June 2007
Blogger charged with criminal defamation for criticising official
SOURCE: Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo), Cairo
(HRinfo/IFEX) - The Algerian government must drop the defamation charge
against blogger "Abd el Salam Baroudy", administrator of the "Bilad
Telmesan" blog ( http://bilad-13.maktoobblog.com ), for criticizing an
official in an article published in February 2007. Baroudy is scheduled to
face the Telmesan First Degree Court on 11 June 2007.
In his article, Baroudy criticized the chair of Religious Affairs and
Endowment in Telmesan province for banning cooperation between imams
(religious leaders) from mosques and local broadcasters. The official in
question then charged Baroudy for defamation, which carries a sentence of
six months in prison and a fine of 1,500 Algerian Dinars (approx. US$21).
"In a country such as Algeria, which suffers from widespread violence, it
becomes all the more crucial to defend freedom of opinion and expression
and the new government must respect the right to political criticism," said
HRinfo Executive Director Gamal Eid.
Responding to the case, Baroudy said in his blog, " . . .I am merely
expressing my opinion about an official who believes he is in a class and
rank that is above suspicion and beyond appeal, and who does not condone
being written about or criticized."
"The new government in Algeria must take note of Baroudy's words if it
wants to gain credibility and a good reputation as regards freedom of
expression," HRinfo added.
Algerian bloggers succeeded in drawing attention to their work when
journalist "Ali Rahaliya" in his blog managed to persuade the president to
suspend a law on privatization in February 2007.
For further information contact Gamal Eid, Executive Director, HRinfo,
Apartment 10, No. 5, Street 105, from Midan al Hurriya, al Maadi, Cairo,
Egypt, tel/fax: +202 524 9544, e-mail: info@hrinfo.net,
gamal4eid@yahoo.com, Internet: http://www.hrinfo.net/en
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of
HRinfo. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
HRinfo.
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