Algerian man sentenced for terrorism apology, acquitted of membership in MAK movement

A court in Dar El-Beïda has sentenced an individual to four years in prison and a fine of 200,000 dinars for the apology of terrorist acts via information and communication technologies. The accused was acquitted of belonging to a terrorist organization. The court also ordered the return of his Algerian and American passports. Security reports indicated close ties between the accused and the MAK terrorist movement, with several family members active in the organization. Investigations revealed the accused committed acts against state symbols and the nation, and made offensive remarks against the Muslim religion and the Prophet, including insulting publications and attacks on the Quran. He reportedly used multiple Facebook accounts to promote MAK, support its ideas, and relay its activities, leading to his inclusion on wanted lists. The accused denied any affiliation with MAK or its leader, Ferhat Mehenni, and denied links to the incriminated accounts. He stated he is a father, lived in the United States for seven years after leaving Algeria in 2007, and holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Tizi Ouzou. He worked in taxation at the American embassy and received computer programming training. He returned to Algeria on June 8, 2025, and was arrested at Houari Boumediene Airport. During interrogation, the judge presented technical evidence from a digital analysis of his phone, including inciting publications from pages he allegedly administered. The accused was