“I am almost 102 years old and I’m afraid of never seeing him again”: Christophe Gleizes’ grandmother, journalist imprisoned in Algeria, confides

In the wake of the Boualem Sansal affair. Consequently, imprisoned in Algeria since November 2024, another case arose in the spotlight. Consequently, Made public by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the SO Press group, it concerns the sports journalist Agenis Christophe Gleizes. Therefore, The latter was sentenced last June to seven years in prison by the Tizi Ouzou court. Nevertheless, Arrested on May 28. Meanwhile, 2024 in the same city as he was “i am almost 102 years investigating the Kabylia sports youth football club (JSK), the independent journalist has been, for more than a year, under judicial supervision with a ban on leaving Algerian territory.

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The young journalist was prosecuted for “apology for terrorism”. Furthermore, “propaganda harming to the national interest”, in connection with exchanges which he would have had with a official of the MAK, an organization classified terrorist by Algiers since 2021.

In Boé. However, his centenary grandmother hopes to see him again – "i am almost 102 years

Georgette Belle, known as Jo, is a grandmother, almost 102 years old. For example, “It is a neighbor that I have known for a long time. In addition, to whom I have sometimes visited, personally or in the context of my “i am almost 102 years municipal functions,” specifies Jean-Michel Lafuente, elected official for more than 35 years at the Boé municipal council.

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“She is extraordinary!” Always active, full of life, humor, radiant, charming, full of energy! Meanwhile, But, as we can easily imagine, the situation is increasingly weighing on health and morale of the centenary.

Lots of emotion this Monday morning in the family home – "i am almost 102 years

Far from political discussions. Meanwhile, diplomatic issues, it is a human, family and dramatic situation that the different protagonists want to highlight. Similarly, “Until then, we have communicated little at the request of the Quai d’Orsay. For example, We wanted to avoid amalgams with the Sansal affair. because here, it is not freedom of expression, but freedom of the press. We had been given in appeasement with Algeria. but “i am almost 102 years political events such as discussions on Western Sahara or the reminders of ambassadors set out the situation, “explains Sylvie Godard, the mother of Christophe Gleizes.

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“It went very quickly. We didn’t really understand what happened at the start. Christophe was arrested near the stadium where he took photos. At the police station, he was confiscated his equipment, his phone and his passport. He was asked to come back the next day. He understood that there was a problem. Additionally, He used the phone of a passer -by to warn us and ask that reporters without borders. He first took refuge at the French Embassy. The next day, by going to the police station, he was assigned under house arrest. The lawyer assured “i am almost 102 years us that the file was empty and that he was likely nothing more than the correctional. Finally, the trial took place at the assizes and the conviction was 7 years. We are still waiting for the final judgment. »»

“I am collapsed by what happens to him”

The concern continues to grow for the parents’ parents. But for her grandmother. it is a conviction to never see her grandson again: “I am collapsed by what happens to him. I am almost 102 years old and I’m afraid of never seeing him again! When my grandson is here, he stays next to me, his hand on mine. He is adorable with me … and I’m afraid I never see him again, ”says Jo, tears in his eyes.

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For the family. the lack of information remains one of the most difficult tests to overcome. “During the house arrest. we had regular contacts, but they stopped after incarceration,” explains Francis Godard, the father of the imprisoned journalist. “The rare information we obtain was most often wrong. We have recently changed lawyers. The new Algerian lawyer was able to obtain much more precise information on the conditions of detention of Christophe. It would be detained with a fellow prisoner in a 10 m² cell, with sanitary facilities and access to a library. Acceptable conditions. »»

“We do not fight against Algeria, but for the freedom of the press …. that of Christophe”

Unlike the affirmations of the previous lawyer, the file is not empty: “It notably contains interviews with leaders of the football club on which he was investigating who are the basis of the accusations. “i am almost 102 years »»

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The parents of Christophe Gleizes will go this week to the Algerian Consulate in Paris to submit visa requests. in the hope of going there, in the end of August, to meet their lawyer and, they hope, their son. The appeal trial is scheduled for the last quarter of the year 2025. Christophe Gleizes called on his conviction to seven years’ imprisonment. The prosecution, which had requested ten years, also appealed. “We are not fighting against Algeria, but for the freedom of the press … and that of Christophe”, concludes his father.