French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced deep concerns over the detention and well-being of Boualem Sansal, a 75-year-old Algerian author who started a hunger strike in protest of his imprisonment in Algeria on national security charges. PEN America has called for his immediate release due to fears for his health. Prominent writers, including Salman Rushdie and Wole Soyinka, have also demanded his freedom. Macron stated that resolving Sansal's situation is essential to restoring trust between France and Algeria amidst strained relations fueled by immigration issues and disputes over Western Sahara.
Macron expressed ongoing concern for Boualem Sansal's health and arbitrary detention, emphasizing that his release is crucial for restoring trust between France and Algeria.
PEN America highlighted that Sansal's hunger strike raises serious health concerns, and called for his immediate release due to the national security charges against him.
A collective of notable authors, including Salman Rushdie, stressed their support for Sansal by signing a statement urging his freedom from detention in Algeria.
Macron's remarks on Sansal's imprisonment reflect the larger context of deteriorating Franco-Algerian relations, exacerbated by immigration and colonial legacy disputes.
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