The sentencing of writer Kamel Daoud to three years in prison in Algeria for his novel Houris has sparked a strong reaction in Paris. The author, winner of the 2024 Goncourt Prize, is being prosecuted for addressing the Algerian civil war of the 1990s, a subject that remains highly sensitive for the Algerian government.
In this context, the Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard expressed her "unwavering commitment to freedom of creation," recalling that literature remains an essential space for expression, even in areas of tension.
A conviction that reignites tensions
The minister also emphasized "the need to defend artists in their dignity and safety," noting that the writer, who has lived in France for several years and is a naturalized citizen, should not be directly affected by this court decision. This stance comes amid still fragile Franco-Algerian relations.
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