Since his arrest last September, the portrait of Karim Tabbou, and calls for his release, have been in all the weekly Hirak demonstrations, until their suspension due to coronavirus, in March. Karim Tabbou, a figure in this protest movement, must therefore leave Kolea prison during the day. The Algiers court has indeed accepted the request for provisional release, presented by its lawyers.
The opponent was sentenced last March, on appeal, to a sentence of one year in prison, against six months at first instance, for “undermining the integrity of the national territory”. Since then, his defense and supporters have denounced the conditions for the holding of this trial. The accused notably refused to appear without his lawyers, then became uneasy during the hearing. Note that Karim Tabbou is also prosecuted in another case, for attacking the morale of the army. Earlier this week, that trial was postponed to September 14.
Grace for six people
The announcement of his release is welcomed by several organizations, including the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights, which “welcomes the waiting for all of the Hirak prisoners of conscience”.
This court decision comes at the approach of July 5, the country’s independence day. On Wednesday evening, the presidency announced a pardon for six people, three of whom are related to Hirak, according to the National Committee for the Release of Detainees.
Other faces of Hirak appear this Thursday. The verdict in the appeal trial of Amira Bouraoui, a famous opponent of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was notably postponed until September 24. At first instance, on June 21, she was sentenced to one year in prison. However, she should also be released during the day.
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