France criticizes French journalist’s seven-year jail sentence in Algeria

Maxime Gleizes, brother of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was sentenced to seven years in prison by an Algerian court, speaks with supporters during a march calling for his brother’s release, in Avignon, France, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Manon Cruz Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

PARIS, Dec 3 (Reuters) – The French government on Wednesday criticized the decision by an Algerian court to uphold a seven-year jail sentence for French journalist Christophe Gleizes despite its efforts to convince Algerian authorities to change the verdict.

“It regrets that its full cooperation with the Algerian authorities and the explanations provided by his defence team were not enough to change the verdict. We call for his release and hope for a favourable outcome so that he can quickly be reunited with his family,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement.

“France reiterates its commitment to freedom of the press throughout the world,” the statement said.

Ties between Paris and Algiers deteriorated sharply after France recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The cases of Gleizes and French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was also sentenced to a lengthy prison term, have exacerbated the tensions. Relations were also strained by Algiers’ refusal to take back people who were deported by French authorities.

Sansal, however, was pardoned last month by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Gleizes, a journalist for French magazines So Foot and Society, was arrested in May 2024 in Tizi Ouzou, 100 kilometres east of Algiers, where he was working on a story about sports in the region of Kabylia, French press freedom activist group Reporters Sans Frontieres, RSF, said.

He was charged and convicted of “glorifying terrorism” by a local court in June, RSF said. The ruling was upheld on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Suggested Topics:

Read Next

ago Media & Telecom category

ago Media & Telecom category

ago Media & Telecom category

ago Media & Telecom category

ago Media & Telecom category

ago Media & Telecom category

India’s equity benchmarks are likely to open muted on Thursday, but foreign outflow jitters and a depreciating rupee could continue to dampen sentiments.

Site Index

About Reuters

Stay Informed

Information you can trust

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world’s media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers.

Read More