On Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the Criminal Court of First Instance at the Relizane Court of Appeal sentenced 12 individuals, including activists and the sister of human rights defender Yacine Khaldi, to three years of imprisonment each, ordering their immediate detention following the hearing, in a case related to freedom of expression and solidarity with prisoners of conscience and support for them.
Those sentenced include activists Ibrahim Rachedi, Sid Ahmed Doubi Bounoua, Abdelkrim Guerini, Hamza Benchemani, Meziane Mouhab, Ibrahim Guerini, Sofiane Doubi Bounoua, Abdelghani Guerini, Oussama Guerini, Ilyes Filali, and Boualem Boudissa, as well as Asia Khaldi, the sister of human rights defender Yacine Khaldi.
The individuals were prosecuted on the charge of “glorifying terrorist acts”, under Article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, in connection with expressing their opinions and showing solidarity with and support for prisoners of conscience.
The case had previously been scheduled for a hearing before the Relizane Criminal Court of First Instance on 12 May 2026, before being adjudicated at the hearing held on 3 November 2026, which resulted in the aforementioned sentences and orders for the convicted individuals to be taken into custody directly from the courtroom.
This case highlights the serious consequences of imposing custodial sentences in cases involving freedom of expression and solidarity with prisoners of conscience, particularly when anti-terrorism provisions are used to prosecute activists for their peaceful opinions, positions, and support for detainees, undermining fundamental safeguards for the protection of freedoms and human rights.
SHOAA for Human Rights considers the use of Article 87 bis to prosecute activists for peacefully expressing their opinions and showing solidarity with and support for prisoners of conscience a violation of freedom of expression. The organization calls for the release of those convicted, respect for the rights of the defense and fair trial guarantees, and an end to the use of anti-terrorism legislation to restrict fundamental freedoms.
