Algeria releases 33 activists by presidential amnesty

ALGIERS, Algeria

The Algerian Justice Ministry announced that 33 activists who took part in anti-government protests were released as part of a presidential amnesty.

The ministry said late Thursday that the activists received convictions due to activities in the Hirak protests.

It said another group, including 30 detainees with a final verdict due because of the demonstrations and 60 others who did not receive a sentence, will be released.

Human rights organizations and opposition parties have demanded for two months that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune release demonstrators who were detained in protests or for social media posts.

The protests that began in the town of Hirak two years ago spread across the country but were hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara

ALGIERS, Algeria

The Algerian Justice Ministry announced that 33 activists who took part in anti-government protests were released as part of a presidential amnesty.

The ministry said late Thursday that the activists received convictions due to activities in the Hirak protests.

It said another group, including 30 detainees with a final verdict due because of the demonstrations and 60 others who did not receive a sentence, will be released.

Human rights organizations and opposition parties have demanded for two months that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune release demonstrators who were detained in protests or for social media posts.

The protests that began in the town of Hirak two years ago spread across the country but were hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara