US EditionFrench-Algerian Author Kamel Daoud Says Algeria Sentenced Him to 3 Years for Award-Winning Novel
Daoud was fined 5 million Algerian dinars and faces arrest warrants after being convicted of undermining national unity, according to court and his statement.
- On Tuesday, French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud announced an Algerian court convicted him over his novel Houris, sentencing him to three years in prison and imposing a 5 million dinar fine, equivalent to $38,000.
- Authorities cited the 2005 Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation, which Daoud claims prohibits public mention of the civil war despite the conflict leaving nearly 200,000 dead according to estimates.
- Following Houris's publication, Arbane accused Daoud of "stealing" her story and alleged on television that his work constituted an "invasion of her privacy," prompting lawyers to invoke the Charter against him.
- Beyond the conviction, Algeria issued two international arrest warrants in May 2025 and threatened to strip Daoud of his nationality, signifying ongoing cross-border enforcement efforts against the author.
- French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal faced similar legal pressure and received a humanitarian pardon after an appeal by Germany's president, returning to France last year after serving one year in prison.
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The algeriske exilförfattaren och Goncourtpristagaren Kamel Daoud har dömts tillfangelse och boter i hemlandet Algeriet, skriver han själv på X.
Prize-winning book 'Houris' brings prison term for French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud
French-Algerian author Kamel Daoud says he has been sentenced in Algeria to three years in prison and fined over his award-winning novel “Houris,” which revisits the country’s civil war. The ruling reflects…
He was accused of using the story of a patient of his wife to feed his novel, Goncourt Prize in 2024.
The Franco-Algérien author Kamel Daoud announced his conviction to three years in prison and a fine for his award-winning work at Goncourt in 2024 The Franco-Algérien writer Kamel Daoud announced
The French-Algerian writer is also subject to two international arrest warrants issued by Algeria in May 2025.
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