Amnesty International said today that Algerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release three members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, as well as drop all charges against them, who were arrested earlier this week solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of religion.
Authorities must also withdraw all accusations against the group’s other 21 members, who are presently out on bail pending an investigation.
The 24 men who identify as Ahmadi religious group members were charged on June 6, 2022, by the First Instance Tribunal in Bejaia with ‘participation in an unauthorized group’ and ‘denigrating Islam,’ respectively, under Article 46 of the Law on Associations and Article 144 bis 2 of the Algerian Penal Code. Three members were ordered to be detained immediately, while the rest were released pending further investigation. On June 8, their lawyer filed an appeal against the ruling.
“The Algerian authorities have legal obligations to respect, preserve, promote, and fulfill everyone in the country’s right to freedom of religion, including those who hold religious beliefs that differ from the majority.” Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said, “It is absurd that a group of people find themselves behind prison merely for practicing their faith or for their views.”
“All allegations against the three arrested men and the 21 other members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light must be dropped immediately and unconditionally by Algerian authorities.”
Before his detention, Redouane Foufa, the coordinator of the Bejaia religious members’ group, told Amnesty International that Algerian authorities had been intimidating and harassing the group since April 2022.
On April 2, they questioned them about their religious beliefs and took their passports, phones, and laptops. On the 7th of June, they returned their passports but retained their personal devices.
The 24 members of the gang were detained for 13 hours by police in Bejaia on June 5th. They questioned the adults and obtained their fingerprints and pictures.
According to Nadia Saliba, a member of the group and the wife of imprisoned Khireddine Ahman, one officer told them they were traitors to Islam and did not deserve citizenship privileges.
The members of the group were told that they would have to appear in court the next morning and that their children would not be allowed to attend Algerian schools until the following year.
On June 6, the group of 24 spent 14 hours in court until three of them were accused and sent to Bejaia’s Oued Ghir prison: Redouane Foufa, the movement’s Bejaia coordinator, and two other members, Khireddine Ahman and Cherif Mohamed Ali.
In 1993, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light was founded. It adheres to Imam Mahdi’s teachings and regards Imam Ahmed al-Hassan as its spiritual guide. In Algeria, there are now over 70 members.
“It’s ridiculous that a group of individuals be imprisoned for practicing their faith or holding their convictions.” Amna Guellali of Amnesty International said
Members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Bejaia have been interviewed by police 10 times in the last three months, according to Hadil El Khouly, a spokesperson for the organisation.
Before his detention, Redouane Foufa told Amnesty International that roughly 30 troops had searched the house he lives with the other members of the group and seized documents such as ID cards and passports, as well as phones and laptops.
“We were living quietly in our home,” Youssra Bezai, another member of the religious minority group, told Amnesty International. We never attempted to take our ideals outside of the classroom. They are the ones that came to us and infringed on our privacy and rights.”