Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has granted a pardon to French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, nearly one year after his arrest at Algiers airport.
Sansal, 81, who had been at the centre of a diplomatic dispute between Algeria and France, was released following a direct appeal from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
According to reports, “Sansal was flown to Germany on a military aircraft on Wednesday evening and has since been admitted to a hospital for medical attention.”
President Tebboune said; “he approved the pardon in response to President Steinmeier’s request, citing humanitarian reasons due to the writer’s advanced age and health condition.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, who later spoke with Sansal by phone, expressed appreciation to the Algerian leader for what he described as “an act of humanity.”
Observers note that while France had made efforts to ease tensions with Algeria, the intervention of the German President played a decisive role in securing Sansal’s release, given his cordial relations with the Algerian leader.
Diplomatic sources say “the move could help reduce recent strains in Algeria’s relations with European partners.”
BBC/Shakirat Sadiq