France Condemns Algerian Court's Seven-Year Sentence for Journalist Christophe Gleizes Amid Deteriorating Ties

France Slams Algerian Court's Upholding of Journalist's Seven-Year Sentence

The French government has strongly condemned an Algerian court's decision to uphold a seven-year prison sentence against French journalist Christophe Gleizes, despite France's diplomatic efforts to secure his release. The ruling has further exacerbated already strained relations between Paris and Algiers.

The Case of Christophe Gleizes

Christophe Gleizes, a journalist contributing to French publications like So Foot and Society, was apprehended in May 2024 in Tizi Ouzou, approximately 100 kilometers east of Algiers. He was reportedly working on a feature story about sports in the Kabylia region when arrested. In June, a local court convicted him of "glorifying terrorism," a charge that was upheld by the Algerian court on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

A Call for Press Freedom

In response to the upheld verdict, the French foreign ministry issued a statement expressing profound regret that its full cooperation with Algerian authorities and the comprehensive explanations provided by Gleizes' defense team failed to alter the outcome. The ministry reiterated its firm commitment to global press freedom and issued an urgent plea for Gleizes' immediate release, hoping for a resolution that would allow him to reunite with his family promptly.

Diplomatic Tensions Escalate

This judicial decision unfolds against a backdrop of severely deteriorated Franco-Algerian relations. Tensions flared significantly after France recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the contested territory of Western Sahara. Additionally, Algeria's refusal to accept citizens deported by French authorities has added to the diplomatic friction. The cases of Gleizes and French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who also faced a lengthy prison term, have undeniably intensified these bilateral strains.

Differing Fates: Gleizes vs. Sansal

It's noteworthy that Sansal was granted a pardon by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune just last month, offering a stark contrast to Gleizes' continued incarceration. Gleizes' brother, Maxime Gleizes, has been actively campaigning for his sibling's freedom, including participating in a march in Avignon, France, in July 2025 to draw attention to his case.