Boualem Sansal, the Franco-Algerian writer who was freed in November 2025 following 361 days of detention, is publicly rejecting the pardon that secured his release and demanding a formal retrial with international observers. According to Nice-Matin, the octogenarian author states he wants to return to Algeria to clear his name properly after being arrested in November 2024 and initially sentenced to five years in prison.
“I didn’t want to be pardoned, I carry that like a shame, like a wound,” Boualem Sansal told Nice-Matin, adding that he had directly told French President Emmanuel Macron, the German president, and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to keep their pardons.
Boualem Sansal Demands a Retrial and International Observers
According to statements given to Nice-Matin, the writer insists on returning to Algeria for a formal legal proceeding. He is explicitly asking for a “real trial with my lawyer and international observers to obtain a proper acquittal.” Boualem Sansal spent nearly a year behind bars before his release in November 2025.
The author’s legal team has reportedly prepared a case against the Algerian president and his government for international jurisdictions. However, Boualem Sansal states that the formal procedure has been delayed at the request of the Élysée Palace and the Quai d’Orsay. According to the writer, French diplomatic offices fear potential reprisals against Christophe Gleizes, a French journalist currently detained in Algeria.
Did You Know? Boualem Sansal was imprisoned for 361 days in Algeria starting in November 2024 before receiving a presidential pardon that he actively rejected, calling it a source of personal shame rather than relief.
Publication of La Légende and Criticisms of French Diplomacy
The author’s calls for legal action coincide with the release of his new 240-page book, La Légende, published on June 2 by Grasset. In the newly released narrative, Boualem Sansal details his arrest and directs sharp criticism at the Algerian leadership, which he brands an “hated Algerian regime.”
Within the pages of La Légende, the writer criticizes France’s approach to his captivity. He argues that Paris should have maintained a firm power dynamic with Algiers instead of relying on traditional diplomatic negotiations. Writing that he would have preferred to “stay and die in prison,” Boualem Sansal asserts in his book that France operated from a position of weakness while Algeria held the upper hand during the standoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Boualem Sansal imprisoned in Algeria?
Boualem Sansal was arrested in Algeria in November 2024 and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison before being released under a presidential pardon after 361 days of detention.
What is the writer currently demanding?
According to statements given to Nice-Matin, Boualem Sansal is demanding a true retrial with his lawyer and international observers present, aiming for a formal legal acquittal rather than accepting a pardon.
Why has the planned international legal action been delayed?
The writer states that the legal dossier prepared by his lawyer has been temporarily put on hold following requests from the Élysée Palace and the Quai d’Orsay, who are reportedly concerned about possible reprisals against detained French journalist Christophe Gleizes.
What impact do you think Boualem Sansal’s rejection of his pardon will have on diplomatic relations between France and Algeria?
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