France – France24, June 29, 2025
Algerian authorities have sentenced a French sports journalist, known for his coverage of African football, to seven years in prison on charges of “glorifying terrorism”, according to media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Christophe Gleizes, 36, a contributor to So Foot magazine, was ordered by a court in Tizi Ouzou to be taken into custody immediately.
Algeria‘s authorities have sentenced a prominent French sports journalist specialised in African football to seven years in prison for “glorifying terrorism“, media rights campaigners RSF said Sunday, denouncing the verdict as “nonsensical”.
Christophe Gleizes, 36, who contributes to the So Foot magazine, was ordered by the court in Tizi Ouzou to be immediately incarcerated and will appeal the ruling on Monday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said.
“He has now been unjustly convicted and imprisoned for simply doing his job,” said the group.
Gleizes, who has co-authored a book about football in Africa, was arrested in May 2024 and then placed under judicial control and was unable to leave the country, RSF said.
“Christophe Gleizes has been subjected to an absurd judicial control order for over a year,” said Thibaut Bruttin, RSF’s director general.
