Algiers: The Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has formally requested Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to pardon writer Boualem Sansal, who has been detained for a year. The request, characterized as a humanitarian gesture, was detailed in a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic.
According to Algeria Press Service, President Steinmeier emphasized the importance of allowing Sansal, who is of advanced age and in fragile health, to travel to Germany for medical treatment. The German President’s appeal highlights Sansal’s dual citizenship in Algeria and France and his recognition as the recipient of the German Book Trade Peace Prize. Sansal was sentenced on July 1, 2025, in Algeria to a prison term and a fine, as recalled in the statement.
President Steinmeier expressed his request to President Tebboune, framing it as an expression of humanitarian spirit and political foresight. He noted that such a gesture would reflect the long-standing personal relationship he has with President Tebboune and the strong ties between Germany and Algeria.