Detained in Algeria since November, writer Boualem Sansal is reportedly neither on a hunger strike nor deprived of medical treatment, contrary to claims made by his lawyer in France. According to the head of the Algiers Bar Association, Sansal has decided to defend himself.
The French-Algerian writer, who has been in custody since mid-November, has not begun a hunger strike nor halted his medical treatment, as stated by his lawyer in Paris. Instead, he intends to represent himself, according to Mohamed Baghdadi, the head of the Algiers Bar Association.
"Contrary to what has been reported, he is not on a hunger strike. And that’s for the best, as it would have seriously harmed his health," Baghdadi told the Algerian newspaper El Watan on Tuesday.
According to Sansal’s French lawyer, François Zimeray, the writer initiated a hunger strike "due to pressure exerted on him to change lawyers"—a claim refuted by Baghdadi.
Sansal "sent a letter to the investigating judge requesting the removal of all his legal representatives, including Zimeray," Baghdadi explained, adding that "Sansal explicitly stated that he wants to defend himself."
Furthermore, the writer "has not discontinued his medical treatment," Baghdadi assured, contradicting Zimeray’s assertions. "According to the professor overseeing his medical care, with whom I spoke, the treatment for his cancer is beginning to yield positive results," he added.
"What surprises me is that Zimeray continues to claim he is still Sansal’s lawyer, even though an official letter withdrawing his representation was submitted a week ago," Baghdadi noted. He also expressed regret over the writer’s decision to forgo legal representation.
"There’s nothing we can do about it. But at the very least, he should have one or more colleagues assisting with his defense," he concluded.
Sansal was arrested at Algiers airport in mid-November and is being prosecuted under Article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, which classifies as "terrorist or subversive" any act that threatens state security, territorial integrity, stability, or the normal functioning of institutions.
According to the French newspaper Le Monde, Algerian authorities were displeased with remarks Sansal made to the French media outlet Frontières, known for its far-right stance. In the interview, he reiterated Morocco’s position that part of its territory was ceded to Algeria during the French colonial era.
Sansal had long claimed to have been born in 1949, making him 75 years old today. However, his publisher, Antoine Gallimard, revealed in December that he was actually born in 1944, meaning he is 80.
With AFP
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