Christophe Gleizes enters third Algerian summer with seven-year term upheld | OneFootball

Christophe Gleizes begins a third summer deprived of liberty in Algeria, his seven-year sentence unchanged and his outlook as clouded as ever.

According to L'Équipe, he was arrested on 28 May 2024 in Kabylie while reporting, placed under house arrest then jailed. Convicted on 29 June 2025 of apologising for terrorism and possession of propaganda publications, the verdict was upheld on 3 December 2025.

The case relates to meetings in France with JS Kabylie officials who also belonged to the NAK, labelled terrorist by Algerian authorities. With 5 July approaching, lawyer Emmanuel Daoud says there are no early signals, and only President Abdelmadjid Tebboune could grant a swift pardon.

Held in Tizi Ouzou, then Koléa near Algiers since January, he reads and receives visits. His mother Sylvie has travelled eight times, most recently in early June, speaking through glass. Loved ones say the wait is wearing on him, a letter to his 102-year-old grandmother never arrived and he has stopped writing.

Public support has grown. A tribute appeared during Nice’s 1-1 draw with Lens on 2 May. Reporters Sans Frontières leads a campaign, a petition nears 40,000 signatures and #FreeGleizes banners spread.

Gleizes entered Algeria without a journalist visa. Detained near Tizi’s stadium, he was held six days and banned from leaving. His appeal raised hopes, but after a long deliberation the sentence was confirmed and his lawyer later questioned outside influence.

After dropping a cassation bid, the fight is now political. His family seeks wider attention during the World Cup, FIFA symbolically accredited him and its president noted an empty press seat. They still hope for clemency, without guarantees.

Source: L'Équipe