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WJWC Condemns Politically-Motivated Trial of Former Algerian Presidential Candidates

WJWC Condemns Politically-Motivated Trial of Former Algerian Presidential Candidates

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) strongly condemns the recent trial of three former candidates for the Algerian presidential elections held in September 2024, denouncing the proceedings as deeply flawed and emblematic of growing political repression in Algeria.

 The trial, which took place on July 9, 2025, before the Tenth Criminal Chamber of the Algiers Judicial Council, resulted in four-year prison sentences and financial penalties against businesswoman Saïda Neghza, politician Belkacem Sahli, and physician Abdelhakim Hamadi. The court additionally imposed immediate suspensions from the hearing, following a process that WJWC asserts was marred by serious procedural violations and overt political interference.

Violations of Fair Trial Standards

WJWC expresses grave concern over the manner in which the trial was conducted. The organization notes that the defendants were arrested inside the courtroom before the judicial panel had retired for deliberation, a measure that directly undermines the presumption of innocence and violates defendants' right to defense. Furthermore, according to reports verified by independent legal monitors, the presiding judge prematurely disclosed the verdict before its formal pronouncement—an act that constitutes a clear breach of judicial impartiality and undermines the credibility and integrity of the judicial process.

These developments stand in violation of Algeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as guarantees enshrined in the Algerian Constitution, particularly those relating to the independence of the judiciary and the right to a fair trial.

Suppression of Political Participation

WJWC stresses that this trial must be understood within a broader context of systematic suppression of political participation in Algeria. The candidacies of Neghaza, Sahli, and Hamadi were rejected by the Constitutional Court on technical grounds, in a process that lacked transparency and meaningful judicial oversight. These rejections, occurring amid a political climate characterized by tight state control and exclusionary tactics, signal an alarming erosion of political pluralism and electoral integrity.

The organization highlights that such exclusionary measures are part of a growing pattern in which administrative and security bodies exert undue influence over electoral processes, raising serious doubts about the autonomy of the judiciary in politically sensitive cases.

WJWC also expresses deep concern over recent statements by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in which he suggested a ten-year prison term for individuals accused of “buying signatures.” The fact that such public declarations were made in advance of judicial rulings, and appear to align closely with the sentences ultimately issued, reflects a dangerous encroachment on the independence of the judiciary and violates the principle of separation of powers. This not only calls into question the credibility of the judicial process but also undermines the legitimacy of the democratic system in Algeria.

Mistreatment of Saïda Neghza

Particular concern is directed toward the treatment of Ms. Saïda Neghza during the proceedings. Eyewitness accounts and courtroom reports confirm that Ms. Neghaza collapsed during the hearing, after which she was subjected to harsh and degrading treatment. Such conduct constitutes a violation of her human dignity and contradicts international standards on the humane treatment of individuals undergoing trial, including the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

WJWC reaffirms that accountability for corruption and electoral violations must be pursued through fair, impartial, and transparent legal mechanisms, not through the instrumentalization of the judiciary to marginalize political rivals or punish dissent. Trials that serve political ends rather than justice threaten to destroy the foundation of legal systems and further alienate citizens from the democratic process.

In light of the above, Women Journalists Without Chains calls for the following immediate actions:

·         The unconditional release of Saïda Neghza, Belkacem Sahli, and Abdelhakim Hamadi, and the full restoration of their right to appeal in a judicial environment free from political coercion.

·         An independent and transparent investigation into the conduct of the trial, including procedural violations, premature sentencing, and potential executive interference.

·         An end to the use of the judiciary as a tool to suppress political opponents, and the restoration of judicial impartiality and independence in all political cases.

WJWC stresses that justice cannot be achieved under conditions of intimidation, exclusion, and political interference. A functioning democratic state requires a judiciary that is independent, a political process that is transparent and inclusive, and legal guarantees that apply equally to all citizens.

The organization affirms that the current trajectory of repression, exclusion, and manipulation of legal mechanisms in Algeria stands in stark contradiction to the principles of the rule of law and democratic governance. The future of Algerian democracy cannot be built on the silencing of dissent and the erosion of public trust in state institutions, but rather on a foundation of transparency, fairness, and equal political participation for all.

 

Released by:

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC)

July 13, 2025

 

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