New York, July 5, 2024—Algerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalists Omar Ferhat and Sofiane Ghirous, drop all charges against them, and stop arresting journalists for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.
Algerian authorities arrested Ferhat, director of local independent news website Algeria Scoop, and Ghirous, the outlet’s editor-in-chief, in the capital, Algiers, on June 27, according to news reports and Khaled Drareni, a local journalist who spoke to CPJ. An investigative judge at the Bir Mourad Rais Court then ordered their detention on charges of inciting hate speech.
Earlier that day, the journalists were summoned for questioning about an Algeria Scoop video—which has since been removed—showing two businesswomen protesting their mistreatment at a government-sponsored event about creativity.
Algerian authorities have imposed restrictions and censorship on the media ahead of the September presidential elections, where President Abdelmajid Tebboune is likely to seek another term, according to news reports and two local journalists who spoke with CPJ on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.
“The recent court decision to detain Algeria Scoop journalists Omar Ferhat and Sofiane Ghirous for their reporting is a clear indication of President Tebboune’s intolerance for independent journalism ahead of the presidential elections,” said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna. “Algerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Ferhat and Ghirous, drop all charges against them, and allow journalists to work freely without fear of arrest.”
The court also placed Abdelaziz Laadjel, a video reporter and editor at Algeria Scoop, under judicial supervision, which means authorities can summon him for questioning at any time.
CPJ’s emails to the Algerian Ministry of Interior requesting comment on Ferhat and Ghirous’ arrests did not receive any replies.