Algeria arrests prominent journalists, activist before election

Arrests of Khaled Drareni, Ihsane El Kadi, Karim Tabbou evidence of ‘chilling escalation’ in dissent clampdown: Amnesty.

Authorities in Algeria have arrested two prominent journalists and a well-known opposition figure, just days before the country’s parliamentary election. Algeria is set to hold its first legislative election on Saturday since former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced from office in 2019 in the wake of mass protests. The demonstrations against the longtime leader’s re-election bid swiftly transformed into demands for systemic change. On Friday, Amnesty International said the arrest of journalists Khaled Drareni and Ihsane El Kadi, as well as of popular activist Karim Tabbou, were evidence of “a chilling escalation” in the clampdown on dissent.