Karim Siaghi, a convert to Christianity, was sentenced in May 2011 to five years in prison and a fine of 200,000 Algerian dinars (approx. 14,500 DKK), even though the prosecution had neither presented evidence nor produced any witnesses in court.
More than a year later, in mid-November this year, Siaghi's appeal hearing was held in the coastal city of Oran in northwestern Algeria. It was the first time he faced his accuser in court.
Siaghi was arrested in April 2011 after he allegedly gave a CD about Christianity to a Muslim. Siaghi had gone into a phone shop to buy airtime for his cell phone and the salesman there started a discussion about religion. He was unhappy with Siaghi's non-Muslim response and tried to force him to honor the prophet and recite the Muslim creed.
When Siaghi denied and said he was a Christian, the seller filed a charge that he had insulted the prophet, and since there were no other witnesses to the incident, charges were filed against him.
Reportedly, the seller had also seen Siaghi give a CD to someone, but he never showed up to testify about it in court. Siaghi's lawyer says that there is no evidence whatsoever to support the charges.
Both local Algerians and international observers expressed dismay when the judge handed down his sentence. Reportedly, the prosecutor had demanded a sentence of two years in prison and a fine of 50,000 Algerian dinars.
Experts on Algeria's treatment of Christians say that Algerian courts tend to prefer to delay rulings in favor of Christians so as not to incite Muslims, and that they also tend to be slow to issue final rulings so as not to provoke international criticism of the country's religious freedom.
According to the news service Liberation Algérie, the purpose of the November hearing was to fill in the gaps in the information in the case in order for the court to decide whether the sentence was proportionate to the charges.
Siaghi "once again categorically denied that he had insulted the Prophet in any way," according to Liberation Algerie. With him in court were his wife and young daughter.
The judge has not yet set a date for the next hearing where the verdict is expected to be handed down, but it is feared that Siaghi faces a lengthy legal battle. Mustapha Krim, president of the Protestant Church of Algeria, says he hopes to mobilize a large number of Algerians in protest. "We plan to mobilize as many people as possible, Christian or not, to protest against the imprecise Law No. 06-03 of 2006, which in practice means that a person who does not share the views of "certain Islamists" can be convicted on hearsay alone," says Krim.
Law No. 06-03 prohibits evangelization among Muslims, as well as the distribution, production and storage of materials for that purpose. It is often used in court cases against Christians. The law also prohibits churches from operating without registration.
In 2010, four Christian leaders in Tizi Ouzou were sentenced to several months in prison for holding services without permission, but the prison sentences were suspended. In 2008, a Christian leader in Tiaret named Rachid Essaghir was given suspended sentences for two separate cases involving testimonies about his faith. Although Christians appeal these sentences, the outcome is rarely final. In recent years, many Algerians have converted to Christianity, partly due to Christian TV broadcasts. This often has unpleasant consequences for them.
In October, a man was beaten so severely by his cousin that he went into a coma for watching Christian TV programs. His name and whereabouts are being withheld for security reasons. A Protestant church in Ouargla in southern Algeria was attacked in February, causing external damage to the building. In October, four people threatened to burn down the church.
In a historic move, in the summer of 2011 the Algerian government officially approved the Protestant Church of Algeria and authorized it to act as the council of the country's Protestant churches. The church was established in 1972, but until 2011, only the Catholic Church was recognized by the government. Despite the recognition of the Protestant Church, individual churches still have to apply for registration.
Algeria ranked 23rd on the 2012 World Watch list of the 50 countries in the world where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The list cites increased pressure on Christians, including discrimination from the state and family members. It also mentions that Islamic groups in the country have become more active in their efforts to influence the government and that they monitor the activities of Christians.
Source: Open Doors and Compass News
