On Tuesday, eighteen protesters arrested during a popular march in Algiers on June 21 were brought before the courts of Sidi M'hamed and Bab El Oued. They were detained on charges of "insulting a constituted body" and were placed under a detention warrant by the investigating judges handling the case. Their lawyers stated that the protesters were accused of "infringing on national unity" and "infringing on the national emblem."
The protesters were arrested by law enforcement for displaying Berber flags alongside the national emblem during the June 21 march in Algiers. According to reports, around 100 people were detained for possessing non-national flags. While most were released on the same day, 18 were taken into custody. The protesters were reacting against the government's attempts to confiscate flags other than the national emblem.
The public television channel A3 reported that the detained protesters were accused of "insulting a constituted body." One of the arrested individuals was also found to be carrying a prohibited weapon. The protesters were taken into custody and transferred to El Harrach prison. Their detention sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many expressing concern and demanding their release.
The news of the protesters' detention triggered a strong reaction on social media, with many users expressing indignation and frustration. A group of young people from Haizer, whose friends were among those arrested, expressed their concerns and pledged to remain mobilized to secure their release. They questioned the role of judges and lawyers who had initially supported the Hirak movement.
In response to the detentions, a crisis cell was set up to coordinate actions to free the arrested protesters. Calls for general strikes and marches were made in various regions. In Naciria, a commune east of Boumerdes, a general strike was observed, with civil servants, workers, and merchants joining in. The strike was held in solidarity with one of the detained protesters who was from the area.
The detention of the protesters has sparked concerns about the government's handling of dissent and freedom of expression. The protesters' lawyers and supporters argue that displaying non-national flags is not a crime and that the government's actions are an infringement on their rights. The situation remains tense, with many calling for the release of the detained protesters.
The incident has also raised questions about the status of the Berber community in Algeria and their demands for recognition. The Berber flag has become a symbol of the community's struggle for greater autonomy and recognition. The government's response to the protests has been seen as heavy-handed, and the detention of the protesters has sparked fears of further unrest.
Key points
- Eighteen Algerian protesters were detained for displaying Berber flags during a June 21 protest in Algiers.
- The protesters were accused of "insulting a constituted body" and "infringing on national unity" and "infringing on the national emblem."
- The detentions sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for the release of the protesters.
