Amnesty International has called on Algerian authorities to release activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit, who is serving a five-year prison sentence for peacefully expressing dissent. This call comes as Tadjadit’s appeal hearing approaches on April 17 and follows significant international criticism of his conviction.
The organization highlighted that Tadjadit’s imprisonment underscores Algeria’s ongoing suppression of peaceful dissent. His current charges are linked to his involvement in the #ManichRadhi campaign, which urged social media users to voice dissatisfaction with the government.
Authorities have accused Tadjadit of disseminating “subversive content” and undermining public institutions. These allegations, according to Amnesty, represent an inappropriate application of counterterrorism and defamation laws to stifle dissent. Tadjadit’s sentence was handed down by the Rouiba Court in Algiers on January 20, 2025, just four days following his arrest, in what was seen as a fast-tracked trial.
Tadjadit’s conviction under the Algerian Penal Code included charges of “undermining national unity,” “inciting an unarmed gathering,” “offending public bodies,” and “publishing content harmful to national interest,” stemming from social media and poetry critical of Algeria’s political and socioeconomic state. Human rights groups contend these charges are vague and infringe on international standards of freedom of expression.
Known as the “Poet of the Hirak,” Tadjadit rose to prominence during Algeria’s 2019 Hirak movement. His poetry, written in Darija (Algerian Arabic), became emblematic of peaceful protest and reformist demands by the country’s youth. Despite this, Tadjadit has faced continuous legal challenges, having been imprisoned at least five times between 2019 and 2024 for similar allegations.
Both Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) and PEN America have denounced his sentencing, arguing it is a breach of fundamental human rights. PEN America’s Karin Karlekar stated, “Poetry is not a crime. No government should silence creative voices or restrict the exchange of ideas.”
Tadjadit also faced pre-trial detention in 2024 under terrorism charges, related to private communications from 2021. These communications occurred before the Rachad movement was labeled as a terrorist organization, raising issues about retroactive legal action.
The European Parliament issued a resolution in January advocating for his release, adding to the international calls directed at President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to overturn the sentence, dismiss charges, and cease the harassment of activists and artists.