Algeria desert prisoners to appear in court

Three prisoners at the security detention centres in southern Algeria will appear in a court in Algiers on Monday while the head of human rights body Farouk Ksentini said there are about 18,000 prisoners who were not compensated.

• The three detainees submitted complaints against interior ministry and the National Commission for Human Rights Protection and Promotion asking for compensation.
• The victims sent a letter to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the head of foreign affairs commission at the Nation council and the head of human rights body to ask them for a rapid solution, Echorouk has learnt.
• Since they were released in December 1995 from Ain Ameguel in the province of Tamnrasset (south of Algiers) without trial, they have not been considered as victims of the national tragedy nor did they benefit from the National Reconciliation.
• They asked the government to allow detained students to continue their studies in Algeria and abroad and to ban all the security and administrative obstacles on their rights as citizens.
• One of the victim told Echorouk he has psychological, social and health problems. “Some of the prisoners died, others became mad and some others were hit by chronic diseases.”
• “We were deprived of citizenship rights such as working, studying and having a passport,” he added.
• He also said he was arrested in March 1992 as he was member of the banned-Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).