Concern about detained Algerian blogger after 25 days on hunger strike
| Publisher | Reporters Without Borders |
| Publication Date | 7 October 2017 |
| Cite as | Reporters Without Borders, Concern about detained Algerian blogger after 25 days on hunger strike, 7 October 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59dcdb184.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is very concerned about the state of health of Merzoug Touati, an imprisoned Algerian blogger who has been on hunger strike for the past 25 days.
Detained since 17 January pending trial for posting a Skype interview with an Israeli citizen on his blog, Touati is facing a possible 20-year sentence on a charge of complicit relations with a foreign power.
He should have been questioned by an investigating judge on 3 October but his weak condition prevented him from answering the judge's questions. A few weeks ago, the same judge rejected his request for a conditional release. He also refused to interview witnesses who could provide information about the case.
Touati began his hunger strike on 13 September in protest against the judge's refusals and has been getting steadily weaker ever since. According to his family, he has lost more than 10 kilos.
"We fear for Merzoug Touati's life after 25 days on hunger strike, which is 25 days too many," RSF said. "How many more sacrifices will be needed before someone heeds the cry of alarm from this young, 25-year-old blogger, who is being punished for exercising the right to inform?
"We condemn the disproportionate natures of the charges and the possible sentence he is facing and we call on the Algerian authorities to respect international standards regarding due process."
Algeria is ranked 134th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2017 World Press Freedom Index.
