On Sunday, September 1, 2024, the judge at the Oued Rhiou Court in Relizane sentenced human rights defender Abdallah Benaoum to one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars, without ordering his imprisonment. He was charged with posting content on Facebook that could harm the national interest, defying authorities, and insulting a public institution.
Abdallah Benaoum was arrested on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 7 p.m. in front of his home in Oued Rhiou, Relizane province, using force by internal security forces. At midnight on Wednesday, five hours after his arrest, police forces and intelligence officers searched his home. He was transferred on Thursday, August 29, 2024, to the Directorate of Internal Security in Oran. He then appeared on September 1, 2024, before the Public Prosecutor at the Oued Rhiou Court in Relizane, who referred him to the judge for immediate trial.
