In brief
Boualem Sansal, the prominent French-Algerian writer, has been pardoned by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and freed after nearly a year in prison, primarily due to interventions by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. His release follows a tense diplomatic standoff between France and Algeria, instigated by his criticism of the Algerian government. The 81-year-old Sansal, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, arrived in Germany on a military plane for medical care. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude toward Tebboune for the clemency, highlighting the importance of calm negotiations in resolving the crisis.
Almost a year to the day since French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was arrested on arrival at Algiers airport, the Algerian president has pardoned him and allowed him to leave the country.
Sansal, 81, has been at the centre of a bitter diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's decision came in response to a direct approach from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The writer arrived in Germany on a military plane on Wednesday evening and was taken to hospital.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Sansal by phone, said France had used respect and calm to bring about his freedom.
I thank President Tebboune for this act of humanity, said Macron.
Although Paris had for months sought to lower tensions with Algeria, it was the German president's role that secured Sansal's release because of his good relations with Algeria's leader.
French ambassador Stéphane Romatet, who was recalled from Algiers earlier this year for consultations because of the row, told French radio on Thursday that the crisis is relations was so deep that from the start we knew a happy outcome... would go through a trusted third party and the German solution quickly came forward.
Steinmeier said this week he had asked President Tebboune to pardon Sansal, given his advanced age and fragile health, so the writer could receive medical treatment in Germany.
Tebboune said on Wednesday he had decided to respond favourably to Steinmeier's request because of its nature and humanitarian motives.
Sansal is being treated for prostate cancer.
He was given a five-year jail sentence in July for undermining national unity with remarks that questioned Algeria's borders.
The novelist has long been a critic of Algeria's government, which had not responded favourably to France's appeal for clemency.
Relations had already been on the slide after President Macron announced France was recognising Moroccan sovereignty of Western Sahara and backed a plan for limited autonomy for the disputed territory.
Although the move was seen as a potential setback, the decision to replace former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau appeared to signal a new mood towards Algeria.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised diplomats for their work in securing Sansal's release, and said they remained focused on Gleizes, whose imminent release we are hoping for.
