Algeria Pardons Jailed Novelist Boualem Sansal Amid Franco-Algerian Tensions

Thu Nov 13 2025 13:04:57 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Algerian government has pardoned novelist Boualem Sansal, following significant diplomatic involvement from Germany. The decision highlights the intricate relations between Algeria and France, especially in light of Sansal's critical stance on the Algerian government.

Boualem Sansal, the 81-year-old French-Algerian writer, has been released from prison in Algeria after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune granted him a pardon, responding to a request from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. This move comes nearly a year after Sansal’s arrest, which had exacerbated diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France. After his release, Sansal was flown to Germany for medical treatment, following months of direct negotiations between France and Algeria. The situation reveals underlying strains in Franco-Algerian relations, amid comments about national unity and freedom of expression in Algeria.

Almost a year to the day since French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was arrested on arrival at Algiers airport, the Algerian president has pardoned him and allowed him to leave the country.

Sansal, 81, has been at the centre of a bitter diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's decision came in response to a direct approach from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The writer arrived in Germany on a military plane on Wednesday evening and was taken to hospital. French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Sansal by phone, said France had used respect and calm to bring about his freedom.

I thank President Tebboune for this act of humanity, said Macron.

Although Paris had sought to lower tensions with Algeria, it was the German president’s intervention that secured Sansal’s release due to his good relations with Algeria’s leadership.

Steinmeier had requested Tebboune to pardon Sansal, citing the writer’s advanced age and fragile health, allowing him to receive medical treatment in Germany.

Sansal had been sentenced to five years in prison for comments deemed to undermine national unity, particularly related to Algeria's borders.

He has long been a critic of Algeria's government, and the diplomatic crisis had escalated after controversies surrounding French political actions and the treatment of Algerians in France.

Relations between the two nations have been deteriorating, marked by a series of political tensions and disagreements over historical issues and present-day actions.