On Thursday, 1 October 2026, the Tizi Ouzou Court sentenced activist Mohamed Hamali to six months’ imprisonment, ordering his detention, after he was prosecuted on the charge of incitement to assembly under Article 100 of the Algerian Penal Code.
The case stems from a video published by Mohamed Hamali in which he spoke about the difficulties faced by residents of Moul Diouane, in the municipality of Draâ Ben Khedda, Tizi Ouzou Province, due to the lack of water in the area, explaining that the problem is recurrent.
Police in Draâ Ben Khedda arrested Mohamed Hamali on the morning of Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The following day, Thursday, 1 October 2026, he was brought before the public prosecutor at the Tizi Ouzou Court, prosecuted and tried on the same day, before the court issued its judgment against him.
SHOAA for Human Rights affirms that speaking out about the difficulties faced by citizens and raising issues related to essential services, including water shortages, falls within the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and the discussion of matters of public interest. Peaceful expression of such concerns should not lead to criminal prosecution or punishment.
