Announced by the CNLD and confirmed by his family, the cartoonist artist Nime was released on 2 January 2020 after serving one month of his sentence in Oran prison. As a reminder, Nime had been sentenced to one year in prison including 3 months in prison for publishing cartoons and was imprisoned in Oran prison for publishing cartoons.
According to national television, 76 people imprisoned for their participation in the “Hirak” protest movement have been released – about half of the 140 people detained according to the CNLD, who also refer to a “national instruction from the President of the Republic for the release of hostages in order to try to win (the goodwill of) the street”.
Although released he was summoned to appear before the judge again on the 9th of January 2020. It was the hope of his family that he would be fully acquitted. However, as announced by the CNLD on his Facebook page and confirmed by his family on January 10, the cartoonist remains sentenced to 1 year in prison with a suspended sentence. According to the latter, he has to pay a fine of 20 000 Algerian Dinar and material belonging to members of his company Creature was returned, with the exception of Nime’s one, depriving him of his working tool and archives.
A prejudicial decision that contrasts with the desire for openness displayed on 2 January and impacts the artist’s freedom of expression and creation by keeping him under control.
While welcoming the artist’s release, Cartooning for Peace and Cartoonists Rights Network International reiterate that drawing is not a crime and hope that justice will reverse this decision and complete the process begun on 2 January by acquitting the artist as soon as possible.
They take this opportunity to thank all the cartoonists and partners for their mobilization in support of Nime, a showing of solidarity that touched the artist.
For more information :
Download the press release: 00 2020-01-03- PR CFP CRNI Nime (Algeria)
