Algeria’s cartoon controversy

Ali Dilem Index reports that Algerian cartoonist, Ali Dilem has been sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 50,000 dinar (£376 or €500) over a series of cartoons depicting President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 2003.

The cartoons, which satirized the president, ran in the daily paper, Liberte, in October and November 2003. Dilem has been working as a cartoonist for the paper since 1993. He has 24 cases of press violations filed against him and has been sentenced to a total of nine years in prison. “Dilem has now been sentenced to a total of more than nine years in prison,” said Paris-based media rights group Reporters sans Frontieres. “President Bouteflika is very thin-skinned and the country’s courts are clogged with media cases.”

Kabyles.com has an interview with Dilem as well as some of the cartoons for which he was sentenced (reproduced below).

Ali Dilem cartoon
Translation : THE PEOPLE ARE STANDING BEHIND BOUTEFLIKA
Ali Dilem cartoon
Translation : ALL RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES HAVE PAID HOMAGE TO THE PILGRIMS IN MECCA WHO WERE STAMPED TO DEATH
Bishop : “This year, for Candlemas day we had Saracen - also means Buckwheat in French - pancakes”
Ali Dilem cartoon
Translation : BOUTEFLIKA : OCTOBER FIFTH DID NOT BRING BACK DEMOCRACY
“Here’s the proof ! I’m the president !”
On the wall : picture of jailed journalist Benchicou
On the dog’s dish : “the people”

Tuesday 21 Feb 2006 | Paul | Algeria

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