An Algerian court upheld a verdict against French-Algerian writer and critic Boualem Sansal on Tuesday, sentencing him to five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 Algerian dinars (approximately $3,851).

The Algiers Court of Appeal upheld the sentence issued by the Criminal Court of First Instance of Dar El Beïda on March 27. In upholding the ruling, the Court denied a request to extend Sansal’s prison sentence to 10 years, which was made by prosecutors during an appeal hearing on June 24.

Sansal was arrested at Algiers International Airport on November 16, 2024, upon his arrival from Paris. Following his arrest, Sansal’s whereabouts were unknown for over a week. He was denied access to his family, and in contravention of international human rights law, denied access to legal counsel. Additionally, concerns over Sansal’s health have been raised as he has been hospitalized on multiple occasions due to the fragile state of his health.

The arrest occurred following an interview with Frontières, a French far-right media outlet. Sansal, an outspoken critic of the Algerian government, questioned the integrity of Algeria’s borders, asserting parts of western Algeria historically belonged to Morocco. Sansal argued that before Algeria’s independence in 1962, during the period of colonial rule, France had adjusted the border between the countries, favoring Algeria.

The 80-year-old writer was charged under Article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code for “undermining national unity.” This article regards “any act that targets the security of the state, national unity, the integrity of the territory, the stability and normal functioning of state institutions” as a terrorist or subversive act. This provision has garnered substantial criticism from UN experts and human rights organizations as it has been frequently used to prosecute human rights defenders, political activists, and journalists.

French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly called on the Algerian government to free Sansal, urging Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to show “mercy and humanity” towards the writer. French Prime Minister François Bayrou stated that Boualem Sansal’s situation is “one that all French people and the French government find intolerable,” advocating for the writer to be granted clemency. He noted, “Now that the sentence has been handed down, we can imagine pardon measures, particularly in view of our compatriot’s health will be taken.”

In January, the European Parliament called for the “immediate and unconditional release and acquittal of Boualem Sansal and all other activists, journalists, human rights defenders and individuals detained or sentenced for exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression.” This request was criticized by Algerian lawmakers who accused the European Parliament of political interference.

Sansal’s verdict is issued amid rising diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria, following France’s developing ties to Morocco, fueled by President Macron’s backing of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Algeria has supported the Sahrawi pro-independence movement and taken in over 170,000 refugees from the region.