Algerian journalist jailed for covering protests

Algerian journalist Rabah Kareche has been sentenced to eight months in prison for his reporting on protests, his newspaper Liberte said.

M Kareche was handed a one-year-term, with four months suspended. He has already been in prison since his arrest in April and so has four month left to serve.

He was arrested after reporting that a minority group had demonstrated over economic and social marginalisation.

Mr Kareche was charged with “spreading false information liable to damage public order”.

His arrest and detention triggered protests by journalists that further escalated after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described him as an “arsonist”.

Amnesty International has described the jailing of the journalist as a blow to press freedom in the country.

source: bbc