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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World

Algeria to try 18 people who participated in an anti-government protest: lawyer

Demonstrators take part in a protest rally in Paris, France on 4 October, 2020, as they commemorate the 1988 Black October riots in Algeria. AFP - GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT

Half of the defendants have already been taken to prison after appearing before the magistrate, according to lawyer Mustapha Bouchachi.

Around 400 to 500 people took to the streets of the capital to call for democratic change on Monday, but were broken up by police, who made a number of arrests.

Demonstrations also took place in other parts of the country, and in Paris, France.

Participants chanted "The people want the fall of the regime" and "Yes to a civil state, no to a military state", according to CNLD, a prisoners support committee.

The protest took place to mark the anniversary of the 1988 Black October riots, when 500 people were killed and 1,000 injured during a week-long anti-government protest.

Eight of the accused in jail are charged with planning the protest as well as incitement to disturbing the peace, while the ninth allegedly attacked the country’s president.

CNLD said that more than 20 people were arrested on Monday, including students.

The group also called for the more than 60 members of Hirak, anti-government movement, to be released. Hirak was instrumental in pushing president Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power after 20 years.

Even after Bouteflika’s ouster, Hirak members took to the street to demand an entirely new government, calling the whole system corrupt.

Although protests stopped due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, many believe demonstrations will resume, as a referendum on constitutional reform is set to be voted on 1 November.

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