Satellite channels and international organisations use amateur cameramen to promote riots in Algeria

Videos on recent in different areas in Algeria have been posted on YouTube by many residents who used the Bluetooth technology or digital cameras.

• Others have sold the videos to satellite channels. Legal practitioners consider that as prejudice against personal liberties and the country’s safety.
• Security forces arrested dozens of people for taking pictures of riots in many areas in Algeria using their mobile phones or digital cameras. They were caught on roofs taking pictures of clashes between protestors and anti-riot forces.
• According to reliable sources, pictures on the intervention of anti-riot forces in some areas were taken and sold to satellite channels which do not have accredited offices in Algeria.
• Some “exciting” pictures were sold at more than 50,000 Algerian dinars attached with negative comments, the same sources told Echorouk.
• Other sources revealed that “political parts” had sent copies to international human rights organisations known for their negative reports on human rights situation in Algeria.
• A security official told Echorouk dozens of people were arrested and introduced in court.
• “Security forces have not caught the main actors in those pictures trade,” he added.
• According to him, the suspects are prosecuted for committing an illegal act similar to smuggling. “For instance, they do not have commercial register to determine pictures and videos trade activity. The most dangerous thing is that this act harms the country’s reputation.”
• For his part, lawyer Behlouli said no one can take pictures of people and do business with them without their authorisation. “It is a legal violation of the personal right in the picture and it is illegal trade.”
• He told Echorouk that even if they have commercial register, the State does not permit them to harm law and order, public morals and national safety.
• “They perpetrated abuses harming the country’s safety. Logically and legally speaking, they are unacceptable acts as they encourage violence and danger acts.”