Urgent Action good news: Prisoner of conscience released

On 7 March 2019, Algerian blogger and prisoner of conscience Merzoug Touati was released. On 4 March 2019, an Algerian court issued a new verdict reducing Marzoug Touati’s sentence from seven to two years in prison and three years of suspended prison term. The decision prompted his release as he had already served two years in prison. Amnesty International has been calling for Merzoug Touati’s immediate and unconditional release, as he was a prisoner of conscience solely detained for his peaceful posts online.

Internal and international pressure on the Algerian authorities has been crucial to achieve this result. Amnesty International, together with a committee of Algerian organisations, organised marches and sit-ins in front of the courts in solidarity with Merzoug. In February 2019, Amnesty International Algeria delivered a petition signed by more than 6500 people to the Ministry of Justice and the Prime Minister calling for Merzoug’s immediate and unconditional release. 

NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED FROM THE NETWORK. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT APPEALS.

This is the 2nd and final update for UA 117/18 More information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde28/0300/2019/en/