Over 120 protesters arrested since the beginning of 2012 in Algeria

ALGERIA (14/1/2012) – Number of protesters arrested in some towns since the beginning of 2012 reaches 120, including 20 minors.

All protesters were released after being heard by security services, while the number of injuries among the protesters and security forces did not exceed 50 wounded, most of them left the hospitals hours after treatments.

According to data obtained by Echorouk from joint security services, Laghouat (south of Algeria) realized a record in the number of arrested protesters, as the directorate of security in this town revealed that over 30 arrested were released, including 12 minors, while the protests in the same town caused 15 injuries.

Protests over housing in Oran, west of Algeria, especially in the districts of Sidi Elhouari and Planter, pushing officials of security services to lift the state of alert to the highest levels and support its elements by more than 2000 members of anti-riots brought from neighboring localities like Sidi Belabes and Mostaghanem, in order to tighten control of all areas protesting against the local authorities over the bad distribution of housing.

Security services arrested over 20 protesters in Oran then released them after the hearings. The same protests left 11 wounded, including three elements of security.

In a related context, the protests and confrontations between security services and citizens in Annaba, Skikda (east of Algeria) and Ghardaia (south) led to the arrest of more than 50 people, according to statistics obtained by Echorouk, with the release of all detainees after the hearings by justice.    

In Algiers, clashes between protesters and security services in Diar Al Baraka (Berraki), following the attempt of youth to raid the headquarters of the local authorities, caused 8 injuries due to the use of tear gas, stones and burning bottles, as four young men suffered serious injuries at the level of face and ayes.