Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ALGIERS1075
2006-06-13 16:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
IMPRISONED ALGERIAN JOURNALIST MOHAMED BENCHICOU
how-toVZCZCXYZ0032 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAS #1075 1641646 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 131646Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1317 INFO RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 1327 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 6170 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1285 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1834
UNCLAS ALGIERS 001075
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AG
SUBJECT: IMPRISONED ALGERIAN JOURNALIST MOHAMED BENCHICOU
TO BE RELEASED
UNCLAS ALGIERS 001075
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AG
SUBJECT: IMPRISONED ALGERIAN JOURNALIST MOHAMED BENCHICOU
TO BE RELEASED
1. Mohamed Benchicou, former publisher of the now defunct
French-language daily Le Matin, is set to be released from
prison June 14 according to press reports. Benchicou served
a two year prison term for illegal transfer of funds related
to the operation of his newspaper, though many believe the
real offense he committed was his vociferous public attacks
on President Bouteflika during the 2004 presidential election
campaign. To mark the day of his release, Benchicou will
attend several ceremonies including one to commemorate
Algerian journalists killed by terrorist violence during the
1990's and a follow on ceremony to commemorate two
journalists killed in 2001. Benchicou will also preside over
the awards ceremony for the Benchicou Prize which will be
given to two Moroccan journalists in the afternoon.
2. Benchicou served his complete two year sentence and was
granted no leniency despite national and international
interest in his early release. Though he has fully served
his sentence, Benchicou faces the prospect of additional
prison time as he could still be tried on any of the 32
charges of defamation pending against him.
ERDMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AG
SUBJECT: IMPRISONED ALGERIAN JOURNALIST MOHAMED BENCHICOU
TO BE RELEASED
1. Mohamed Benchicou, former publisher of the now defunct
French-language daily Le Matin, is set to be released from
prison June 14 according to press reports. Benchicou served
a two year prison term for illegal transfer of funds related
to the operation of his newspaper, though many believe the
real offense he committed was his vociferous public attacks
on President Bouteflika during the 2004 presidential election
campaign. To mark the day of his release, Benchicou will
attend several ceremonies including one to commemorate
Algerian journalists killed by terrorist violence during the
1990's and a follow on ceremony to commemorate two
journalists killed in 2001. Benchicou will also preside over
the awards ceremony for the Benchicou Prize which will be
given to two Moroccan journalists in the afternoon.
2. Benchicou served his complete two year sentence and was
granted no leniency despite national and international
interest in his early release. Though he has fully served
his sentence, Benchicou faces the prospect of additional
prison time as he could still be tried on any of the 32
charges of defamation pending against him.
ERDMAN