Algerian political activist and prominent figure of the Hirak pro-democracy movement, Karim Tabbou, was arrested at his home on Tuesday evening and placed in police custody, according to his family and multiple local media sources.
Tabbou became one of the most recognized faces of the Hirak movement, which began in February 2019. The movement, driven by massive protests, called for a complete overhaul of Algeria’s political system, which has remained largely unchanged since the country gained independence from France in 1962.
In March 2020, Tabbou was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison for “undermining national security” after posting a video on his party’s Facebook page criticizing the military’s involvement in political matters. Following his release last year, after serving the sentence, Tabbou continued to face challenges due to his outspoken criticism of the government.
His arrest comes amid ongoing tensions in Algeria, where several activists and individuals linked to the Hirak movement or advocating for civil liberties are still detained. The National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees (CNLD) has reported that dozens of people connected to Hirak or the defense of individual freedoms remain imprisoned.
Tabbou’s continued activism has made him a target of authorities, as the government seeks to suppress opposition voices, particularly those critical of the military’s role in Algerian politics.
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