France on Wednesday condemned an Algerian court’s decision to uphold a seven-year prison sentence against French journalist Christophe Gleizes, expressing

disappointment that diplomatic efforts failed to secure his release.

In a statement, the French foreign ministry said it “regrets that its full cooperation with the Algerian authorities and the explanations provided by his defence team were not enough to change the verdict.” France renewed its call for Gleizes’ release and said it hopes for a resolution that would allow him to reunite with his family swiftly.

“France reiterates its commitment to press freedom worldwide,” the ministry added.

Relations between Paris and Algiers have sharply deteriorated in recent months, particularly after France recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory. The imprisonment of Gleizes and the earlier sentencing of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal further strained ties. Algeria’s refusal to accept deportees sent back by France has also fueled tensions.

Sansal, however, was pardoned last month by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Gleizes, a contributor to French magazines ‘So Foot’ and ‘Society’, was arrested in May 2024 in Tizi Ouzou, about 100 kilometers east of Algiers, while reporting on sports in the Kabylia region. Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced his detention and renewed calls for his release. Photo by Celette, Wikimedia commons.