Algerian journalist Mohamed Mokaddem, known by his pen name Anis Rahmani, is imprisoned on multiple charges, including anti-state activities, defamation, and corruption.
Rahmani began his journalism career in the 1990s, reporting for local publications like Al-Oumma, Al-Moudtakillah, and Al-Khabar. He later became the editorial manager of the daily Echourouk before founding Ennahar el-Jadid in 2007. In 2012, he expanded his media presence by launching Ennahar TV, a news broadcaster.
On February 12, 2020, Rahmani was arrested by plainclothes National Gendarmerie officers while on his way to visit his mother in Algiers. The following day, he was charged with various corruption offenses, including exploiting his influence, holding illegal financial assets abroad, and misallocating capital. On February 19, the Bir Mourad Rais First Instance Court added charges of insulting a statutory body and invasion of privacy.
The February 19 charges stemmed from an audio recording Rahmani leaked in October 2018, involving a conversation between him and a former intelligence officer, “Colonel Ismail.” The officer had requested Rahmani to remove an article critical of Algerian Intelligence Services, written by journalist Smail Adherbal. Rahmani refused, and the audio was later aired on Ennahar TV.
In a November 8, 2020 hearing, Rahmani admitted to leaking the audio. He was convicted on nine counts, including defamation, invasion of privacy, and disseminating content harmful to national security. On November 15, 2022, Rahmani was sentenced to five years in prison, which was later reduced to 3 years, and a fine of 100,000 dinars (US$778). Separately, in September 2022, he was convicted on corruption charges in another case, and sentenced to 10 years.
As of late 2024, Rahmani is held in El Meniaa prison in southern Algeria, according to a local journalist who is following the case and spoke CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal. CPJ was unable to determine the status of Rahmani’s health in prison.
In late 2024, CPJ emailed the Algerian Ministries of Interior and Justice for comment on Rahmani’s case but received no response.