ALGERIAN journalists have urged the world not to forget the struggle for democracy in their country, highlighting the regime’s oppression of media workers and opposition supporters.

Mustapha Bendjama, editor-in-chief of the Le Provincial newspaper, appealed to the Star to continue raising the voice of those fighting for the transfer of power from the remnants of of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s corrupt government.

“Algerian journalists are under pressure. They can no longer speak. And the international press is no longer interested in Algeria,”  he said, insisting that mainstream media silence helps the regime to suppress peaceful protests.

Mr Bouteflika was ousted last April after more than 20 years in power following a mass movement known as the Hirak took to the streets of the capital Algiers.

The protests continued after the president’s fall, as the movement demanded that all those associated with his rule be removed from power, fresh elections and a transition to genuine democracy.

Although there was a series of high-profile arrests, including of former prime ministers, government officials and members of the feared security services, Algerian authorities cracked down on protesters and opposition leaders.

The country’s sizeable Berber minority was particularly targeted, with authorities banning the public display of its flag and other insignia.

The Hirak had lasted almost two years and showed no signs of abating when it was curtailed in March by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Three Hirak protesters are due to go on trial tomorrow on charges of incitement, “publication that could damage the national interest” and “endangering the lives of others during the lockdown period.”

Merzoug Touati, Yanis Adjila and Amar Beri were placed in pretrial detention on Saturday, according to National Committee for the Release of Detainees spokesman Kaci Tansaout said.

Mr Beri faces an additional charge of “damaging the person of the President of the Republic” Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

They were part of a group of 20 demonstrators who demanded the release of other Hirak protesters.

According to the committee, more than 1,400 activists and demonstrators have been arrested since the beginning of the Hirak.

Mr Bendjama has been the frequent target of the Algerian authorities.

Last year, he was detained, brutally beaten and accused of speaking to other journalists in Algiers. The authorities also went through his messages and social media accounts seeking evidence against him.

He insists he was targeted for displaying a Berber/Amazigh flag and warned of the stifling of freedom of expression.

Police hauled him in again earlier this year and confiscated his equipment. He faces a number of trials on similar charges.