Dear friends,
Nothing justifies imprisoning a journalist for reporting trustworthy news.
Seven years in prison — the heaviest sentence handed down to a French journalist for carrying out their work in over a decade, according to RSF data. On Sunday, 29 June, French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes – who has been stuck in Algeria for over a year under a travel ban – was sentenced to seven years in prison on baseless charges of “glorifying terrorism” and “possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests.”
Locking up Christophe Gleizes for his journalism is unjustifiable and an affront to the entire profession. A journalist who has spent over a decade honing his reporting with rigour and dedication should not be punished with imprisonment.
“We call on the highest Algerian authorities to release Christophe Gleizes. We also call on everyone to sign the petition demanding his release. We must raise our voices for Christophe – a journalist who is now behind bars simply for doing his job.”
Thibaut Bruttin, RSF Director General
RSF has launched an international petition calling for the immediate release of Christophe Gleizes — and we need your signature.