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Prominent Algerian journalist jailed for three years for protest coverage

Khaled Drareni covered the protests that led to the downfall of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika

AN ALGERIAN journalist who played a prominent role in covering the country’s pro-democracy movement last year was sentenced today to three years in prison for inciting unauthorised demonstrations and attacking national unity.

Dozens of journalists and activists in the Hirak movement protested outside the courthouse, chanting “Free Drareni!”

Khaled Drareni’s arrest in March drew widespread condemnation among protesters and media watchdog groups such as Reporters Without Borders.

Mr Drareni led the news website Casbah Tribune and drew a widespread social media following for his coverage of protests that helped bring down president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Along with sending him to prison, the court in Sidi M’Hamed ordered the journalist to pay a fine of 50,000 dinars (£297), according to the National Committee for the Release of Detainees.

During the trial, which was held by videoconference because of the coronavirus, Mr Drareni denied wrongdoing and said he was only working as an independent journalist and exercising his right to inform.

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