Algeria Prosecutors Seek Tougher Jail Term for Prominent Activist

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators hold flag during anti government protests in Algiers, Algeria April 23, 2019. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina
FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators hold flag during anti government protests in Algiers, Algeria April 23, 2019. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina
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Algeria Prosecutors Seek Tougher Jail Term for Prominent Activist

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators hold flag during anti government protests in Algiers, Algeria April 23, 2019. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina
FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators hold flag during anti government protests in Algiers, Algeria April 23, 2019. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina

Algerian prosecutors have requested a tougher two-year jail sentence for prominent anti-government activist Amira Bouraoui during her trial on appeal, a prisoners' rights group said Friday.

Bouraoui, a 44-year-old gynecologist, is a prominent in the "Hirak" protest movement that secured the resignation of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April last year.

She came to prominence in 2014 when she opposed Bouteflika running for a fourth term.

She was sentenced to a one-year jail term in June over a string of charges, including insulting the president and Islam.

Bouraoui was tried on appeal on Thursday night in a court in Tipaza, in the country's west, the CNLD prisoners' rights group said.

Prosecutors are now seeking two years behind bars for the activist, the CNLD said in a statement Friday on its Facebook page.

According to Agence France Presse, a verdict is expected on December 31.

The CNLD says over 90 people, including activists, social media users and journalists, are currently in custody in connection with the country's anti-government protest movement or individual liberties -- mostly for dissenting social media posts.

Bouraoui was granted provisional release in July, along with several other opposition figures.



Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
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Lebanese PM Discusses with Syria's Sharaa Relations Between 2 Countries

FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa
FILED - 25 June 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati looks on during a meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister Baerbock. Photo: Hannes P Albert/dpa

Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, in a phone call on Friday with Syria's de facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussed relations between the two countries, according to a statement from Mikati's office posted on X, and said that he received an invitation from Sharaa to visit Syria to discuss common files.

Sharaa also affirmed that Syrian authorities took the necessary measures to restore calm on the border between the two countries, the post on X said.

Lebanon's army said Friday that gunbattles erupted on the Lebanese-Syrian border when Syrians attempted to reopen an illegal border crossing using a bulldozer, wounding at least five Lebanese soldiers.
The Lebanese army said its personnel fired warning shots, prompting the Syrians to open fire, wounding one soldier. After the shooting, army units in the area implemented strict security measures and the episode was under investigation, the army said.
Later Friday, the Lebanese army said there were renewed exchanges of fire and four more army personnel were injured.
Meanwhile, Syria’s de facto leadership under the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announced new entry regulations for Lebanese citizens. Lebanese travelers must secure a residence permit or a Syrian sponsor and provide proof of funds worth $2,000 and a hotel booking. Previously, Lebanese citizens were allowed to enter with just a Lebanese ID card.