Algerian author Boualem Sansal has publicly denounced the military regime in Algeria and announced his intention to file a lawsuit against President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Sansal, a prominent critic of the Algerian government, made the statement in a recent interview, citing widespread repression and human rights abuses.
According to reports, Sansal accused the regime of suppressing dissent through arbitrary arrests, torture, and restrictions on freedom of speech. He specifically mentioned the case of journalist Khaled Drareni, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2020 for reporting on protests. Sansal argued that such actions constitute crimes against humanity.
As of June 2026, no formal complaint has been filed with the ICC. Legal experts note that the ICC has jurisdiction over crimes committed in Algeria since it is a signatory to the Rome Statute, but the court typically requires domestic remedies to be exhausted first. Sansal's lawyer has not yet commented on the legal strategy.
The Algerian government has not responded to Sansal's allegations. President Tebboune, who took office in 2019, has faced ongoing criticism from human rights groups for cracking down on the Hirak protest movement. Sansal, who lives in exile in France, has been a vocal opponent of the regime for years.
