Mohamed Benhlima, a former military officer, whistleblower, and anti-corruption activist who was forcibly returned from Spain on March 24, 2022, is serving a life sentence in the Blida military prison stemming from the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. He has complained to the court of torture and other ill-treatment, including sexual violence, prolonged solitary confinement, and beatings at least six times since May 2022, but the Algerian authorities have not announced an investigation. Authorities must quash his convictions and sentences, drop any further charges stemming from his exercise of human rights, and release him immediately.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION BEFORE SEPTEMBER 21, 2025
Your Excellency,
I am writing to express my concern about the ongoing arbitrary detention and judicial harassment of whistleblower, activist, and former military official, Mohamed Benhlima, since his forced return from Spain in March 2022. His claims that he was subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, including sexual violence, while held at the Blida military prison in 2022, have not been investigated despite multiple complaints and statements in court.
Civil and military judicial courts have convicted Mohamed Benhlima at least four separate cases on charges stemming solely from his exercise of his rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
Mohamed Benhlima is held in the Blida military prison, where prison authorities have on...
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