{"id":17736,"date":"2025-05-21T14:55:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T14:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/?p=17736"},"modified":"2025-05-21T14:56:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T14:56:41","slug":"algerian-historian-jailed-over-controversial-comments-on-amazigh-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/2025\/05\/21\/algerian-historian-jailed-over-controversial-comments-on-amazigh-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"Algerian Historian Jailed Over Controversial Comments on Amazigh Identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watan<\/strong><\/em>-Algeria\u2019s indictment chamber upheld the decision to keep historian Mohamed El Amine Belghith in pre-trial detention over his controversial remarks targeting Amazigh identity during an interview on a UAE-based TV channel. His legal team had hoped for his release pending trial.<\/p>\n

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The decision to maintain Belghith\u2019s detention, originally ordered by the investigating judge, was confirmed by his defense team, which had argued that he should be released since he is a well-known university professor with a known address and poses no flight risk\u2014conditions that normally justify trial outside prison under Algerian criminal procedure law.<\/p>\n

Tawfiq Hichour, a member of the defense, said:”The decision to detain Dr. Belghith raises legitimate concerns, given his symbolic national and intellectual status.” He added on Facebook:”We reaffirm our support based on the principles of free expression and justice\u2014defending intellectual figures is a defense of balanced dialogue and statehood.”<\/p>\n

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Belghith Claims Media Distortion Amid Calls for His Release and Parliamentary Outcry<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Before the indictment chamber\u2019s ruling, several members of parliament had demanded Belghith\u2019s release, citing his patriotism, status as the son of a martyr, and contributions to historical research.<\/div>\n
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Some, including MP Abdessalam Bouchagha, criticized the public attacks on Belghith, calling him an “ideological merchant with a diseased mind,” and questioned:”Have we now created media courts on national television? Since when are Algerians tried during the 8 PM news?”<\/div>\n
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Justice Minister Lotfi Boujemaa responded by stating the case is in the hands of the judiciary, and discussing it in the media could influence proceedings. He added that the justice system has the right to issue statements when a case is deemed serious or of public interest, to clarify facts and prevent misinterpretation.<\/div>\n
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According to leaked investigation details, Belghith claimed he had been “misrepresented through edited footage” by Sky News Arabia, the channel that aired his interview. However, he admitted he had no recording to prove the alleged manipulation.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n