“Terrible”: Ailing writer Sansal entangled in escalating diplomatic dispute between France and Algeria

An Algerian court has confirmed the five-year prison sentence for French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, after rejecting prosecutors’ request for a more severe 10-year term. Sansal, known for his novel 2084: The End of the World, was found guilty in March under Algeria’s anti-terrorism laws for allegedly eroding national unity. This case has escalated concerns regarding freedom of expression and deepened the rift with France, transforming Sansal into an unexpected symbol of resistance, garnering support from francophone writers to even right-wing politicians. For a comprehensive examination and further insights, FRANCE 24’s François Picard is joined by Dr. Todd Shepard, an author and Arthur O. Lovejoy Professor of History at Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250702-horrific-ailing-author-sansal-caught-up-in-ever-escalating-franco-algerian-diplomatic-fallout