An Algerian court ordered the release of many detainees arrested during demonstrations earlier, withholding journalist Khaled Drareni and political activist Samir Belarbi.
Journalists gathered in front of Sidi M'Hamed court raising pictures of Drareni and other activists who were held at the Public Prosecution Office for “assembly without a permit.”
Drareni was about to take pictures of demonstrators on Saturday when security men arrested him and took him to a security center in Algiers’ eastern suburb, where he was detained overnight along with several political activists, including Belarbi.
Belarbi was acquitted a month ago, after five months in prison over charges of “weakening the morale of the army.”
The detainees were interrogated about the reasons for their participation in the demonstration, under the pretext of not obtaining the required permits.
Notably, Hirak’s Friday and the university students' Tuesday protests did not obtain licenses, and usually, authorities do not oppose the demonstrations in the capital.
The detainees’ lawyer, Abdelrahman Saleh, said that the prosecution had arrested Drareni and Belarbi at the security center for another night, and that they would be brought again before the court on Monday.
Meanwhile, the police department issued a statement denying categorically any use of excessive violence against the protesters in Algiers.
The police directorate rebutted reports and videos claiming the use of violence during Saturday’s protests, adding that the security forces “noticed unlicensed demonstrations in one of the capital's streets,” where protesters took over the streets, obstructed traffic, and closed some shops.
The statement asserted that policemen interfered according to the laws and regulations to maintain public order.
The Security Directorate stated that it arrested a number of protesters, of whom most were released on the same day and the rest were brought before the judicial authorities.
Earlier, activists posted a video showing a female protester being dragged in the street, and a policeman carrying a baton ready to hit her. In other videos, the police appeared to be chasing demonstrators running in several directions, trying to escape arrest.
A number of lawyers announced they lodged a complaint with the Public Prosecutor, requesting the questioning of security officials in Algiers following the videos of violence that shocked residents of the capital.
