HIBAPRESS – Agencies
The French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal spoke on Sunday in his first media appearance since his release, saying in an interview on the "France 2" channel that he "controls every word" due to the diplomatic situation between France and Algeria, admitting that his words are "limited, restricted, and precise."
Sansal considered that his one-year imprisonment in Algeria was related to France's position on the Moroccan Sahara issue, but he announced his "always reconciliation" between the two countries. During the interview, Sansal spoke about the circumstances of his detention and confirmed that "life is harsh in prison" where "time passes slowly," adding that one "gets tired and exhausted and quickly feels like they are dying." He also expressed his shock when he was arrested in Algeria in 2024, saying, "When I left the airport, they put a bag over my head…and for six days I didn't know where I was or who I was dealing with." Sansal confirmed that he is "afraid for his family," saying, "If I return to Algeria with my wife, I fear that she will be arrested this time too." The writer considered that his arrest was the result of "a combination of several factors," saying, "Everything that comes from France bothers the Algerian authorities a lot. There is the Moroccan Sahara issue, and there is also, and this is considered a crime of touching the royal self they have, that I went to Israel." He added, "I have never criticized Algeria, but I criticize a regime, people, and dictatorship."
