Concern over the disappearance of Algerian journalist Hichem Aboud, a collaborator to Atalayar
The Algerian opposition figure and journalist disappeared after arriving in Spain on Thursday
The Algerian opposition journalist and Atalayar collaborator, Hichem Aboud, one of the most prominent media figures on social networks and the Internet in Algeria, has been missing for at least 3 days and his family is actively searching for him without reassuring news.
According to his entourage, Hichem Aboud recently spent some time in Paris before leaving for Madrid on a trip whose reasons have not been explained or communicated to his family.
#عاجل
— وليد كبير Oualid KEBIR 🇩🇿 (@oualido) October 19, 2024
اختفاء الكاتب والصحفي الجزائري هشام عبود!!!
دعواتكم 🤲🤲🤲#الجزائر #هشام_عبود pic.twitter.com/9tsYbn4tuo
Nothing has been heard from Hichem Aboud since he arrived in Madrid on October 17.
Aboud disappeared after posting a critical video on his YouTube channel. His followers suspect that Algerian intelligence is involved in his kidnapping. Anwar Malek, another activist, said Abboud had told him he was on his way to Spain before he disappeared. But since then, there has been nothing else.
Hichem, always critical of the Abdelmadjid Tebboune regime, had to leave the country due to strong pressures. Hichem Aboud is the subject of several international arrest warrants issued against him by the Algerian regime following several arbitrary convictions related to his writings and videos.
Exiled in France since 1997, the opponent of the military regime that rules in Algeria with an iron fist, has denounced the systematic corruption of military and commanders of the North African country.
As a great connoisseur of the internal workings of the most important institutions in Algiers, Hichem is a great example of the struggle against freedom of expression and the press, especially in countries like Algeria where censorship, the prohibition of demonstrations and the kidnapping of politicians are the order of the day.
He is also heavily demonized and vilified by the Algerian regime's propaganda apparatus, which accuses him of being a “traitor to the nation”.
Abboud expressed strong criticism towards electoral fraud and inconsistencies in government policies. Earlier, he was also prosecuted on charges of "damage to state security”" which put his life in constant danger.
The disappearance of Hichem Aboud in these circumstances raises doubts about freedom of expression and press in Algeria. The Algerian president says there is freedom of expression, but international reports show repression against opponents, journalists and activists.
Aboud's disappearance is another case of violations against journalists in Algeria, suggesting the involvement of state agencies in silencing opposition voices.
From Atalayar we are calling on anyone who can provide any additional information about the current situation of our collaborator. All our channels are open. Any information can be crucial.
