Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, pardoned after a year in Algerian prison, announced on Saturday his intent to sue President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. He spoke at the Political Book Day event at the National Assembly. He states that the procedure has already been initiated.
Boualem Sansal spoke at a roundtable during Political Book Day at the National Assembly. Joined by lawyer Richard Malka, he stated: "I'm going to sue Mr. Tebboune, because he is the one who sentenced me." He added that he had written to the president from his cell: "If you release me, I will sue you."
The 81-year-old author had been sentenced to five years in Algeria for critical stances, charged with "terrorism," "espionage," and "attack on state security." Pardoned in November by Tebboune after nearly a year in prison, he claims he did not receive a "real trial" with lawyers and international observers.
"The procedure is launched," Sansal specified. His lawyer has prepared a dossier to bring Tebboune before international justice. He is waiting for "the right moment," referencing journalist Christophe Gleizes, jailed since May 2024 and sentenced to seven years for "apology of terrorism." "I'm going to go all the way," he affirmed to applause.
Recently, Sansal left his longtime publisher Gallimard for Grasset, citing a divergence over the detention strategy. In a Le Monde op-ed, he criticized diplomatic efforts leading to his pardon as "deeply unsatisfying."