Beirut — Algerian Algerian authorities are cracking down on the protest movement known as "the Hirak," which opposes holding the presidential elections scheduled for December 12, 2019, arresting hundreds of activists and imprisoning scores for protests or waving flags, Human Rights Watch said today.
Since the campaign officially opened on November 17, at least eight protesters have been convicted and imprisoned and 15 others are in pretrial detention on the vague charges of "compromising the integrity of the territory," "distributing publications harmful to the national interest" or "calling for an unauthorized gathering."
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