(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has denounced the two-month prison sentence for defamation handed down to “El-Khabar” editor Ali Djerri and the latest events in the legal saga of the daily “Le Matin”. The newspaper’s offices were sealed on 21 June 2004 and it may be forced to close. “A genuine bulldozer is currently in gear to […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has denounced the two-month prison sentence for defamation handed down to “El-Khabar” editor Ali Djerri and the latest events in the legal saga of the daily “Le Matin”. The newspaper’s offices were sealed on 21 June 2004 and it may be forced to close.
“A genuine bulldozer is currently in gear to try and silence critical journalists. Following the prosecution of correspondent Hafnaoui Ghoul and “Le Matin” editor Mohammed Benchicou, it is now “El-Khabar” editor Ali Djerri’s turn to be sentenced to two months in prison with no parole. Not to mention the threat of closure against “Le Matin”, whose offices have been sealed. We urge the Algerian authorities to end this dangerous escalation,” the organisation said.
On 20 June, a Constantine court sentenced Djerri, in absentia, to two months in prison with no parole for defamation, following a complaint filed last April by retired general and former advisor to the president Mohammed Betchine, over an article alleging he was co-owner of an alcohol manufacturing plant in Annaba and that he had access to a special electricity supply. Betchine has denied the accusations in the pages of the same paper. Djerri, who was on assignment in Turkey at the time, did not receive the summons to appear in court. He is appealing the conviction. The editor was also summoned to appear the same day before an Algiers court to face defamation charges brought by the justice minister. The trial was adjourned until 6 July.
In a separate case, following the 14 June conviction and imprisonment of “Le Matin” editor Benchicou for violating Algeria’s currency exchange laws, a court bailiff appeared at the paper’s head office on 20 June to seal the premises. The newspaper was given only 24 hours notice, just enough time to clear out its most important administrative files. Employees were ordered to leave the premises by 2:00 p.m. (local time) on 21 June, after which time, they were told, the police would be called in. There have already been three failed bids to auction off the building on the orders of the tax department. It will now be sold though an Algiers court on 26 June to pay off back taxes dating to October 2003.
