Algiers, Algeria (African Boulevard News) – Journalist Ihsane El Kadi Jailed for Foreign Financing of His Business
A prominent Algerian journalist, Ihsane El Kadi, has been sentenced to three years in prison on charges of “foreign financing of his business.” The case has gained international attention and has been widely denounced by human rights groups.
The journalist’s sentencing is seen as a crackdown on press freedom in Algeria, where journalists face increasing repression and censorship. Algerian authorities have increasingly targeted journalists critical of the government in recent years, with many facing interrogations, harassment, and arrests.
The Charges Against Ihsane El Kadi
El Kadi is a well-known journalist who has worked with several international media organizations. He is the founder of the news website Maghreb Emergent, which covers news and analysis in Algeria and North Africa.
El Kadi was arrested in June 2019 and charged with “foreign financing of his business” under Algeria’s draconian Law on Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism. The journalist has denied the charges, arguing that the funds he received were legitimate and transparent.
According to his lawyers, El Kadi received financial support from a French non-profit organization, CFI, which provides media assistance in developing countries. The organization reportedly provided El Kadi’s website with a grant of €10,000 ($11,860) in 2016.
El Kadi’s lawyers argued that the funds were used to support the website’s expenses, such as paying salaries and rent. They also pointed out that the grant was publicly declared on the website and in its financial statements.
International Outcry
The charges against El Kadi have been widely denounced by international human rights groups and press freedom organizations. Amnesty International has called for his immediate release, stating that his prosecution “has all the hallmarks of a politically motivated attempt to silence a critical journalist.”
Several media organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders, have also expressed concern about the case. They have argued that El Kadi’s only crime was providing independent journalism and analysis that was critical of the government.
The case is part of a wider trend of repression against journalists and independent media in Algeria. In 2019, several journalists were arrested and prosecuted for their coverage of the mass protests that rocked the country.
A Crackdown on Press Freedom
The sentencing of Ihsane El Kadi has raised concerns about the future of press freedom in Algeria. With the recent arrests of several prominent journalists, the government’s campaign against independent media has intensified.
Human rights groups argue that the charges against El Kadi are baseless and an attempt to silence critical voices. They argue that journalists must be allowed to report on events freely and independently without fear of harassment or prosecution.
The entire African Boulevard News Stands in solidarity with all colleagues on the continent targeted for reporting the truth.
