Algeria's Largest Islamic Party Demands Release of All Prisoners of Conscience

 A file photo shows demonstrators wearing national flags walk past a street vendor during a protest demanding a change of the power structure in Algiers, Algeria January 24, 2020. (Reuters)
A file photo shows demonstrators wearing national flags walk past a street vendor during a protest demanding a change of the power structure in Algiers, Algeria January 24, 2020. (Reuters)
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Algeria's Largest Islamic Party Demands Release of All Prisoners of Conscience

 A file photo shows demonstrators wearing national flags walk past a street vendor during a protest demanding a change of the power structure in Algiers, Algeria January 24, 2020. (Reuters)
A file photo shows demonstrators wearing national flags walk past a street vendor during a protest demanding a change of the power structure in Algiers, Algeria January 24, 2020. (Reuters)

The Algerian Movement of Society for Peace, the largest Islamic party in the country, demanded on Thursday the release of all prisoners of conscience with no exceptions.

The Movement released a statement after revealing that it is aware of recent developments that occurred regarding several cases that lead to the release of former officials, and therefore, it urged the release of all prisoners of conscience.

The Movement said that ensuring the future of Algeria starts from the realization of the genuine will of its people without any form of guardianship. It further underscored the importance of showing confidence in the Algerians’ choices.

This came as a sentence was issued in the case of Algerian blogger Walid Kashida who was sentenced to three years in prison.

Kashida, who is a supporter of the Hirak, is accused of publishing comics on the Internet ridiculing Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and religion, according to an NGO and a lawyer.

The verdict frustrated rights activities and politicians who were expecting his release.

The Public Prosecutor in Setif had requested a five-year imprisonment sentence against Kachida, 25, on charges of insulting "a statutory body, the president and religion."

Said Salhi, vice president of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH), said that the authority insists on being despotic.

There are more than 90 individuals in Algerian prisons detained over their ties with the Hirak or freedom of opinion issues. The prosecutions, in the majority, are based on Facebook posts that criticize the authority, Salhi noted.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
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US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.