Francro-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal launched his new memoir, La Légende, in Quebec, detailing his 361-day imprisonment in Algeria following his arrest at the Algiers airport on November 16, 2024, according to reporting by La Presse. The 77-year-old author, who faced a five-year sentence for “harming national unity,” wrote the book under the immediate weight of humiliation and anger after being pardoned by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on November 12, 2025.
The Arrest and Imprisonment of Boualem Sansal
Boualem Sansal was detained at the Algiers airport due to an interview he gave to a French far-right magazine, Frontières, where he questioned the borders between Algeria and Morocco, a deeply sensitive regional issue. According to the author, his trial resembled a “Cirque du Soleil” performance. He was convicted of harming national unity and intelligence with foreign powers, resulting in a five-year prison term.
During his detention, Sansal endured deteriorating health, including a cancer diagnosis and a hunger strike. Other inmates dubbed him “La légende” due to his literary reputation and decades of vocal opposition to the Algerian regime led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Khadija Mohsen-Finan, a Maghreb expert at the University Paris 1 (Panthéon-Sorbonne), described Sansal as a “war booty” used by Algerian authorities to assert jurisdiction over a dual national amid diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers.
Literary Fallout and Publisher Controversy
Upon his release, Sansal’s return to civilian life sparked controversy in the French publishing industry. He detailed in his memoir why he left Gallimard, his publisher of 27 years, to join Grasset. However, his arrival coincided with the ouster of Grasset CEO Olivier Nora over editorial disagreements with parent company Hachette-Vivendi, owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré. The move prompted more than 200 authors to leave Grasset in solidarity, while critics from the political left accused Sansal of aligning with far-right media interests linked to Bolloré’s C-News.
When questioned about his political positioning by La Presse, Sansal rejected standard labels. “Until this adventure, I was cataloged on the left… Now, all the left-wing press is coming down on me! Me, when they ask me the question, I say that I am neither left nor right. I say I am Boualem Sansal,” he stated.
Did you know? Boualem Sansal spent 361 days behind bars before being pardoned on November 12, 2025, following German diplomatic mediation. He was subsequently elected to the Académie française on January 29, 2026.
A Permanent Break With Algeria
Despite his release and relocation to France—where he obtained French citizenship in June 2024—Sansal stated he has no intention of softening his critique of the Algerian government. He considers himself persona non grata in his country of birth and expects to make only a brief return to sell his abandoned property before “putting a cross on Algeria.”
“It’s more difficult for my wife, who has all her family there. But me, I don’t have a family,” Sansal told La Presse. “If I go back one day, it will really be at a gallop, just to sell my house and all the goods that I abandoned there.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Boualem Sansal arrested in Algeria?
According to La Presse, Sansal was arrested for an interview with the French magazine Frontières discussing disputed borders between Algeria and Morocco, leading to a conviction for harming national unity.
How long was Boualem Sansal imprisoned?
Boualem Sansal spent 361 days in Algerian custody before receiving a presidential pardon on November 12, 2025.
What is the subject of his book La Légende?
The memoir chronicles his traumatic experiences and detention in Algerian prisons, written immediately following his release.
Explore more international news and cultural analysis on our website, or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.