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.
