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Alert

Two journalists sentenced to two months in prison

(CALP/IFEX) - On 17 May 2005, the Sidi M'hamed Tribunal in Algiers sentenced Hakim Laâlam, a columnist for the daily "Le Soir d'Algérie", and Fouad Boughanem, the paper's director, to two months in prison with no parole for "insulting" and "offending" the head of state. In addition, the journalists and the paper were each fined 250,000 dinars (approx. US$3,400; 2,700 euros).

The trial took place on 22 March. Laâlam was accused of writing a column published on 31 December 2003 that was deemed insulting to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. As usual in such cases, neither the president nor the Office of the President filed a complaint against the journalists. The Prosecutor's Office launched the legal action independently.

During the 22 March hearing, the state prosecutor sought a one-year prison sentence for Laâlam and Boughanem. This is the same sentence that is being sought for journalists Ali Dilem, Mustapha Hammouche and Farid Alilat, from the daily "Liberté", who were tried on 10 May (see IFEX alert of 16 May 2005).

The "Soir d'Algérie" journalists were sentenced under Article 144 of the Penal Code. The June 2001 amendments to Article 144 include provisions for heavy prison sentences and fines.

The sentences against Laâlam and Boughanem were announced just as Mohamed Benchicou, director of the daily "Le Matin", is about to finish serving the first year of his two-year sentence (see alerts of 25 April and 30 March 2005). Benchicou is also on trial in several other ongoing defamation cases.

The CALP reiterates its request for an end to the continuous judicial harassment of journalists and media outlets, as well as the repeal of the amendments to Penal Code provisions on defamation, which have led to a severe increase in prison sentences and fines since June 2001.