Yacef Saadi: I did not accuse Zahra Drif of treason

Yacef Saadi, one of the leaders of Algeria’s campaign for independence said he did not criticize war veteran Zahra Drif for treason and she remains seen as a fighter for Algeria’s dignity during the French occupation.

“Zahra Drif Bitat is my sister. We shared a lot during the French colonization and we fought together. Our unique enemy is French authorities who want to raise hate between us,” Saadi told Echorouk on the phone.

“I read this fact in a book written by historian Mohamed Harbi. He got data from the French archives. I was very disappointed,” he added.

“It’s not me who judges that Zahra Drif betrayed Algeria. Yet, Allah and history will decide that. I advise her to assign a group of lawyers to sue the French authorities who evoked those facts.”

“I am ready to pay the lawyers. If Zahra did that because she was worried about Hassiba Ben Bouali, she just has to apologize,” he added.

Saadi alos said Zahra Drif remains his sister and he will meet her to talk about that issue. “Zahra says I was unfair towards her. Yet, nothing happened and I did not judge her.”