Algerian activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit, celebrated as the “poet of the Hirak,” was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday. His lawyer, Fetta Sadat, confirmed the verdict, saying he was convicted of “condoning terrorism,” “supporting terrorist organisations,” and “spreading extremist ideas.”
The prosecution had demanded a 10-year term. Tadjadit’s supporters argue that his punishment stems from his art and activism, not any act of violence. Tadjadit rose to prominence during Algeria’s 2019 pro-democracy Hirak movement, where his impassioned poetry echoed through the streets demanding political change.
The Hirak protests, which began in February 2019, ultimately pushed longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign after two decades in power. In a joint statement, around 20 human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and PEN America, condemned the ruling as politically motivated.
They described the accusations as “baseless” and said Tadjadit’s imprisonment violated his right to free expression and peaceful dissent. “The persecution of Tadjadit is based on his poetry and peaceful activism,” the groups said, warning that the case sends a chilling message to Algeria’s civil society.
Between 2019 and 2025, Tadjadit was jailed at least six times for his political and artistic expression, the statement added.
He was last released in November under a presidential pardon but was rearrested in January and sentenced again, with one conviction later reduced on appeal. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, elected in December 2019, has overseen a sustained crackdown on dissent, curbing the movement that once united millions in protest.