**Updates IFEX CH alert dated 17 January 1995** Mohammed Zaaf, a correspondent for the Italian news agency ANSA who was arrested with two of his sons on 14 January 1995 and accused of “harbouring a known islamic militant,” remains in detention. After being held for questioning on 14 January (see IFEX alert), Mohammed Zaaf was […]
**Updates IFEX CH alert dated 17 January 1995**
Mohammed Zaaf, a correspondent for the Italian news agency ANSA
who was arrested with two of his sons on 14 January 1995 and
accused of “harbouring a known islamic militant,” remains in
detention. After being held for questioning on 14 January (see
IFEX alert), Mohammed Zaaf was put under a committal order in
jail after the expiry of the legal limit for questioning and he
is believed to have been tortured. He categorically denies the
charges against him, and is being held in the El Harrach prison.
One of his sons is in the Serkadji prison, and the other son has
been released. The latter has not been able to retrieve his
identity papers, which he needs to pursue his studies.
Furthermore, after his arrest, the personal effects of Mohammed
Zaaf disappeared, most notably his car, a television, a video
tape recorder, a fax machine, and jewelry belonging to his wife.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Continue sending appeals to Algerian authorities:
-seeking clarification on the reasons for the arrest of Mohammed
Zaaf, and urging that he be immediately released if he cannot be
legitimately charged or found guilty of a recognizable offence
-asking for news of his son who is detained in Serkadji prison
-asking that Mohammed Zaaf’s family be allowed to retrieve the
personal effects which disappeared at the time of his arrest
Appeals To
Liamine Zeroual
President of the High Council of State
El-Mouradia Presidential Palace
Algiers, Algeria
Fax: +213 2 60 96 18
