Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ALGIERS2114
2005-10-16 08:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES SOUNDS ALARM ON
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ALGIERS 002114
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KMPI AG
SUBJECT: REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES SOUNDS ALARM ON
BENCHICOU'S WORSENING HEALTH
REF: ALGIERS 1958 (NOTAL)
UNCLAS ALGIERS 002114
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KMPI AG
SUBJECT: REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES SOUNDS ALARM ON
BENCHICOU'S WORSENING HEALTH
REF: ALGIERS 1958 (NOTAL)
1. Portions of this cable are sensitive but unclassified.
Please protect accordingly.
2. (U) The health condition of Mohamed Benchicou,
editor-in-chief of the now-defunct French-language daily Le
Matin, who was sentenced to two years imprisonment June 14,
2004 for having illegally transferred bonds to France, has
worsened significantly over the last month, according to
various sources, including Reporters Sans Frontieres. Having
long suffered from osteoarthritis on the right side,
Benchicou was denied permission for a necessary medical
treatment early this year, and his condition has dramatically
worsened as a result, according to Saad Lounes, a journalist
who visited him in prison October 10.
3. (U) Benchicou, according to his physicians (as
communicated by his lawyers),requires surgery to relieve the
pressure on a nerve pinched between two vertebra. Reporters
Sans Frontieres issued a statement October 14 calling for a
medical exam for Benchicou by an independent NGO and asked
the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene on
his behalf.
4. (SBU) According to Benchicou's lawyers, who spoke with us
October 15, Benchicou is learning how to use his left hand
for everything. He has been unable to hold a pen for months,
and opening a lid with his right hand causes him intense
pain. Benchicou's lawyers made a point of telling us that
Benchicou does not want a presidential pardon as part of the
recently passed referendum on national reconciliation since
he is not a terrorist. His lawyers also confirmed that
Benchicou's condition has considerably worsened since the
beginning of September. Although Benchicou is imprisoned for
currency violations, he and the journalist community maintain
those charges were a cover to terminate his propaganda
campaign against the President.
SIEVERS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM KMPI AG
SUBJECT: REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERES SOUNDS ALARM ON
BENCHICOU'S WORSENING HEALTH
REF: ALGIERS 1958 (NOTAL)
1. Portions of this cable are sensitive but unclassified.
Please protect accordingly.
2. (U) The health condition of Mohamed Benchicou,
editor-in-chief of the now-defunct French-language daily Le
Matin, who was sentenced to two years imprisonment June 14,
2004 for having illegally transferred bonds to France, has
worsened significantly over the last month, according to
various sources, including Reporters Sans Frontieres. Having
long suffered from osteoarthritis on the right side,
Benchicou was denied permission for a necessary medical
treatment early this year, and his condition has dramatically
worsened as a result, according to Saad Lounes, a journalist
who visited him in prison October 10.
3. (U) Benchicou, according to his physicians (as
communicated by his lawyers),requires surgery to relieve the
pressure on a nerve pinched between two vertebra. Reporters
Sans Frontieres issued a statement October 14 calling for a
medical exam for Benchicou by an independent NGO and asked
the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene on
his behalf.
4. (SBU) According to Benchicou's lawyers, who spoke with us
October 15, Benchicou is learning how to use his left hand
for everything. He has been unable to hold a pen for months,
and opening a lid with his right hand causes him intense
pain. Benchicou's lawyers made a point of telling us that
Benchicou does not want a presidential pardon as part of the
recently passed referendum on national reconciliation since
he is not a terrorist. His lawyers also confirmed that
Benchicou's condition has considerably worsened since the
beginning of September. Although Benchicou is imprisoned for
currency violations, he and the journalist community maintain
those charges were a cover to terminate his propaganda
campaign against the President.
SIEVERS