A phone repairman in Algeria has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for blackmailing a young woman with intimate photos he stole from her phone. The tribunal criminel de première instance de Dar El Beïda handed down the sentence, which was less severe than the 12 years requested by the parquet. The repairman had been accused of séquestration sans autorisation des autorités, atteinte à la vie privée, captation d’images à l’insu de leur propriétaire, and extorsion.
According to reports, the repairman had met the young woman through a social network and a sentimental relationship developed. She later brought her phone to him for repair, and he took the opportunity to transfer intimate photos to his own device. When their relationship ended, he used the photos to blackmail her, threatening to share them publicly.
The repairman's blackmail escalated to the point where he sent the photos to the woman's father and other family members, causing harassment that forced the family to move to a new location. However, the repairman was able to find their new address and continued to visit them. He demanded 50 million centimes from the woman's father in exchange for dropping the complaint filed against him.
The complaint was filed with police on February 9, 2025, and investigators worked with the victim to set a trap for the repairman. On November 13, 2025, the repairman was arrested in a sting operation near Place Audin in Algiers. The woman had chosen the location and restaurant where they met, and police were waiting for the repairman when he exited the restaurant.
During the trial, the repairman admitted to the sentimental relationship but denied the rest of the accusations, including making threats or attempting to extort money. He claimed he had simply repaired the phone and returned it without exploiting its contents for criminal purposes. However, the court did not accept his defense.
The case highlights the growing concern over cybercrime and online harassment in Algeria. The country's courts have dealt with similar cases, including the condemnation of a man for harassing a university student on a bus. The verdict in this case brings closure to a difficult period for the victim and her family.
The repairman's sentence was handed down on October 7, 2026, and marks the end of a case that has garnered significant attention in Algeria. While the sentence was less severe than requested, it still sends a message that such crimes will not be tolerated.
Key points
- The repairman was sentenced to 18 months in prison for blackmailing a young woman with intimate photos.
- The victim's family was forced to move to a new location due to harassment from the repairman.
- The repairman was arrested in a sting operation near Place Audin in Algiers on November 13, 2025.
