On July 1, 2024, the El Omaria Primary Court in the Wilaya of Médéa issued its verdict against activist Rabah Kadri, sentencing him to a one-year suspended prison term, a fine of 50,000 Algerian Dinars, and compensation of 100,000 Algerian Dinars. He was charged with insulting a statutory body and spreading false news and reports that could harm public security and order.
The case dates back to his arrest on February 22, 2024, in front of his family home by the El Omaria District Security. A judicial report was filed against him concerning the charges he faced, and he was released after three hours. Subsequently, he received a summons from the El Omaria District Security to appear before the Judicial Police Unit on March 12, 2024.
Activist Rabah Kadri appeared before the Judicial Police Unit of the El Omaria District Security on March 12, 2024, after which he was transferred to the El Omaria Court. He appeared before the public prosecutor, who then referred him to the investigating judge, where he was heard on multiple charges, including incitement to assembly, displaying publications that could harm the national interest, insulting a statutory body, and spreading false news and reports that could harm public security and order. On the same day, he was placed under judicial supervision with an order to sign in at the court every week. All charges were based on his posts on the social media platform Facebook, including a post in which he expressed his stance on the presidential elections scheduled for September 7, 2024, opposing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s second term by writing, “No to Tebboune’s second term.” On May 7, 2024, the investigating judge ordered the case to be referred to the misdemeanor court for trial on charges of insulting a statutory body and spreading false news and reports that could harm public security and order.
