Event Summary
On 3 February 2026, Lyes Touati, an Algerian activist arrested on 15 December 2025 in Bejaia and placed in preventive detention, was released after 59 days in detention. Initially prosecuted on serious charges related to Article 87 bis (terrorism), the charges were reclassified as misdemeanours and finally brought under Article 196 bis for allegedly spreading “false information”. The release comes after prolonged inaction by the judiciary and pressure from his support committee and human rights organisations.
This event marks a positive step in monitoring civic space in Algeria: it shows that the mobilisation of civil society, both national and international, can have a concrete effect in protecting activists. The release allows Touati to regain his freedom, while continuing his civic engagement and his actions in defence of human rights.