The Kabyle journalist Arezki Aït Larbi is being tormented by the Algerian regime in order to force him to collaborate with it, as most of the Algerian journalists, or to silence him. He may be subjected to worse than imprisonment if we do not act urgently.

Arezki Aït Larbi arrested at Algiers airport. Thursday April 26 2007
Arerzki Aït Larbi was arrested today April 26 at ten o’clock at Algiers airport. He was on the point of taking seat on board an airplane of the company Aigle Azure bound for Paris. Challenged to the level of the PAF (police force of the borders), he was then led to the central police station of Algiers, where he underwent an interrogation before being given a notification to appear before the prosecutor for Saturday April 28.

For recall, he was deprived of his passport on May 2006, before the authorities yield and decide to give him back this document under the pressure of the opinion.

Contacted by telephone, he expressed us his concern as to the ending of this affaire. In spite of the correct behaviour of the police officers who arrested him, he remains nevertheless in the blur as to the fate which the authorities hold for him. These fears are justified by the particular character of the convocation of the prosecutor. Indeed, on Saturday April 28, he is summoned to constitute himself captive at the police station before being presented at the law courts where the prosecutor must give a ruling on his fate. In the worst of the cases, this interview can lead to his imprisonment.

These intimidations express the determination of the Algerian regime to muzzle the free and independent Algerian press. Arezki Aït Larbi remains the unique journalist to inform the world on the situation which prevails in Algeria. Working for the foreign press on which the regime does not have any means of pressure, the latter tries to maintain its correspondents in a permanent state of fear. The psychosis is intended to confine the journalist in a permanent auto-censorship and to fear for his freedom, if not for his life.

We invite all people who struggle for freedom of expression and for human rights to express their support for our friend Arezki Aït Larbi. Let us not forget him, especially not in April. The Algerian regime, which is out of breath, knows it is anyway condemned by the international community, that’s why it is baited on the symbols of our liberties. To let it do is to abdicate. Then to all those who want to still resist, I say that your place is at the sides of ’Arezki At Laarbi.

Support him and sign the petition

http://www.gopetition.com/signatures.php?petid=12006

Written by Boukhelifa Zahir, Kabyle.com

Translated from French for Kabylia Observer by D. Messaoudi