Maghreb Edition

Algerian regime takes advantage of Covid-19 crisis to arrest opponents and journalistsF

Posted On 28 March 2020

Number of times this article was read : 424
Algiers, March 27, 2020 – An Algerian journalist was arrested on Friday, press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said, accusing the country’s government of using the coronavirus crisis to crack down on
independent media.  Khaled Drareni, who serves as RSF’s Algerian correspondent, has been arrested several times for covering “Hirak” anti-government protests that had been held in the capital Algiers every Friday since February 2019 until they were suspended last week.
“This evening Algeria arrested our correspondent Khaled Drareni,” said RSF’s North Africa Twitter account on Friday.   It went on to denounce the “the shameless use of COVID-19 by the Algerian regime to settle scores with free and independent journalism”.  The CNLD prisoners’ rights group said Drareni had been taken to a police
station and faced indictment on Saturday. He was arrested on March 7 while covering a Hirak protest, accused of
“inciting an unarmed gathering and damaging national integrity”. He was then released on March 10.
The weekly “Hirak” protests were suspended over COVID-19, which has killed 26 people and infected 409 in Algeria, according to official figures.  However the courts have continued their work, with Karim Tabbou — a key
figure in the anti-government protests that have rocked the North African country — sentenced to a year in prison on Tuesday.  Rights groups say several dozen people connected with the protest movement remain in detention, though the exact number is difficult to establish due to rearrests.
By AFP

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Morocco Becomes Africa’s Top-Ranked Industrial Economy$

Morocco has become Africa’s leading industrial economy, followed by South Africa and Egypt. The African Development Bank (AfDB) ranked Tunisia fourth, reinforcing North Africa’s position as one of the continent’s principal industrial regions. The AfDB’s 2025 Africa Industrialization Index placed Morocco ahead of South Africa as Africa’s highest-ranked industrial economy.

Algerian Gas Exports to Europe Rise for Fourth Consecutive Month$

Algeria continued to expand natural gas exports to Europe during the first four months of 2026, benefiting from steady pipeline deliveries to key markets including Spain and Italy. While Europe’s gas market continues shifting toward LNG imports, Algeria has maintained its position as one of the continent’s leading pipeline suppliers through a combination of established infrastructure, long-term contracts, and growing LNG activity.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.