(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the suspended jail sentence handed down by an Algiers court against cartoonist Ali Dilem on 20 May 2003. Dilem, a cartoonist with the daily “Liberté”, received a suspended six-month sentence for a cartoon of the army’s chief of staff, General Mohamed Lamari, published on 15 January 2002. The court also […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the suspended jail sentence handed down by an Algiers court against cartoonist Ali Dilem on 20 May 2003. Dilem, a cartoonist with the daily “Liberté”, received a suspended six-month sentence for a cartoon of the army’s chief of staff, General Mohamed Lamari, published on 15 January 2002. The court also fined Dilem 20,000 dinars (approx. US$285; 240 euros), fined “Liberté” editor Abrous Outoudert 40,000 dinars (approx. US$570; 480 euros) and fined the newspaper 300,000 dinars (approx. US$4,270; 3,600 euros).
“This is the first prison sentence ever handed down to a cartoonist. It has been imposed as a result of the May 2001 Penal Code amendment, which was dubbed the ‘Dilem amendment’,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard noted. “The decision clearly demonstrates that the authorities want to intimidate journalists who display any kind of impertinence. It poses a threat to the more open tone favoured by many Algerian publications,” Ménard added.
On 31 December 2002, an Algiers court sentenced Dilem to a fine of 20,000 dinars for a cartoon on the assassination of President Boudiaf, which appeared on 16 January 2002. The newspaper was fined 10,000 dinars (approx. US$140; 120 euros). As a result of another Defence Ministry complaint, Dilem is also awaiting prosecution for a cartoon on a telethon that appeared on 29 November 2001.
Penal Code Article 144b provides for two- to 12-month prison terms and heavy fines for “attacks on the president of the republic involving abuse, insult or defamation”. The same penalties apply for offences committed against “the Parliament, either of its two chambers or the ANP [army].”
