HIBAPRESS – Follow-up
The Appeal Criminal Court in Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria, sentenced the well-known trade unionist Ali Maameri to ten years in prison, in a case that sparked widespread controversy in trade union and civil circles, after the previous appealed judgment had sentenced him to fifteen years in prison.
The ruling sparked a wave of dissatisfaction, especially since the accused is known for his trade union activity and defending workers' rights, which prompted many citizens and activists to express their shock at this ruling, considering it "harsh and arbitrary" given the nature of the activity that Maameri was carrying out. Activists described the ruling as a "great disaster," pointing out that the prison sentence was not the result of committing acts of violence, theft, or treason, but because of his activity in defending workers' rights and presenting their demands and following up on their concerns.
