Arabic version: الحكم على الصحفي الجزائري عبد العالي مزغيشي بالسجن ثلاث سنوات
According to Allafrica, a court in Chéraga, west of Algiers, sentenced Algerian journalist Abdelali Mezghiche to three years in prison on November 8. The court also fined him 200,000 Algerian dinars, or US$1,500, on five misdemeanor charges.
The charges included publishing content deemed harmful to the national interest, inciting unarmed gatherings and disseminating hate speech. Mezghiche’s defense team plans to appeal the verdict. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence and the same fine at an October 25 hearing.
The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Algerian authorities to release Mezghiche immediately and unconditionally, overturn his conviction, and stop prosecuting journalists for exercising freedom of expression. CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah described the sentence as a weaponization of the judiciary to silence critical voices.
A local journalist who spoke to CPJ anonymously said Mezghiche was convicted under Articles 96 and 100 of Algeria’s penal code, covering publications considered harmful to the national interest and incitement of unarmed gatherings. Mezghiche was arrested on February 5, 2026, and has been held in Kolea Prison in Tipaza province since February 9.
Mezghiche has worked for Algeria’s state-owned public television broadcaster since 2005, presenting cultural programmes. He previously worked in print journalism and has published three poetry collections. CPJ said at least seven journalists are currently jailed in Algeria for their work, and said its requests for comment from the Justice and Interior ministries received no response.
