Jailed French Sports Journalist Drops Algeria Appeal in Hopes of Presidential Pardon
His family says the move shows trust in President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s clemency after a seven-year sentence for anti-terrorism and propaganda convictions.
- On Tuesday, French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes withdrew his appeal to Algeria's Court of Cassation, a strategic move aimed at securing a potential pardon from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
- Authorities arrested Gleizes in 2024 while he reported on the JS Kabylie football team, leading to his conviction for violating anti-terrorism laws and possessing propaganda material.
- His mother, Sylvie Godard, told France Inter the withdrawal is 'a very powerful, symbolic gesture,' while his father-in-law Francis Godard cited a 'climate of hostility' between the nations.
- Family members hope 'improved relations between France and Algeria' will aid his release, following a mid-February visit by French Home Secretary Laurent Nunez to meet President Tebboune.
- Gleizes remains the only French journalist imprisoned worldwide, according to reports, in a case that rights groups and media have criticized since his 2024 arrest.
32 Articles
32 Articles
French journalist held in Algeria drops appeal, in pardon hope
The mother of a French sports journalist jailed in Algeria on terror charges he denies Tuesday said he had dropped his appeal to the country's top court, hoping for a presidential pardon. Christophe Gleizes, 37, was sentenced to seven years in jail in June last year for "glorifying terrorism". An appeals court upheld that decision in December, and his lawyers initially sought a new trial with the country's highest court. Gleizes's mother, Sylvie…
Detained for more than ten months, the French journalist withdrew his appeal in cassation mid-March. His family made this choice public on 5 May and called on the Algerian president to act in a gesture of clemency, in a file that became a diplomatic symbol between the two countries.
French journalist Christophe Gleizes was sentenced in Algeria in June 2025 to seven years in prison for "apology for terrorism." After a long legal battle, he has decided to withdraw his appeal, hoping to secure a presidential pardon, according to an announcement made by his mother on Tuesday, May 5. His family [...]
Sentenced to seven years in prison in Algeria, French journalist Christophe Gleizes gave up his appeal in cassation, as a prelude to a presidential pardon.
ladepeche.fr
petitbleu.frLawyers and journalists from Lot-et-Garonne called for a citizen mobilization, Wednesday 6 May at the Pin Market in Agen, to support journalist Christophe Gleizes. Through an unprecedented joint action, they...
Jailed French sports journalist drops Algeria appeal in hopes of presidential pardon
French journalist Christophe Gleizes has dropped an appeal against his imprisonment in Algeria in the hopes of securing his release through a presidential pardon, his family said on Tuesday. Gleizes was arrested in 2024 at the height of diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Left, 44% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
