Nearly a year after his arrest in Algiers, celebrated French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal has been pardoned and allowed to leave Algeria, following a high-level diplomatic appeal from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The 81-year-old writer, who had been at the heart of a tense standoff between France and Algeria, arrived in Germany on a military plane Wednesday evening and was immediately taken to hospital for treatment.
Sansal, known for his outspoken criticism of Algeria’s leadership, had been sentenced to five years in prison in July for allegedly “undermining national unity” after making remarks questioning the country’s borders. He is currently receiving treatment for prostate cancer, which contributed to international pressure for his release on humanitarian grounds.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said his decision to grant the pardon came in response to Steinmeier’s personal request, citing “its humanitarian motives.” The move was widely viewed as a gesture of goodwill amid ongoing diplomatic strains between Algiers and Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who personally spoke with Sansal after his release, thanked Tebboune for what he called “an act of humanity,” noting that France had worked with “respect and calm” to help secure the writer’s freedom.
According to French ambassador Stéphane Romatet, it became clear early in the diplomatic process that a third party would be needed to mediate, with Germany quickly emerging as the trusted intermediary.
Sansal’s release marks a rare moment of cooperation between European powers and Algeria after months of political friction, and it underscores the enduring influence of cultural diplomacy in resolving complex international disputes.
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