Lazhar Zouaïmia, who was detained against his will for four weeks without official reason by authorities in Constantine, Algeria, arrived yesterday in Canada to the great comfort of his relatives.
The man from Algeria was prevented from returning to Canada for several weeks. Arrested and detained in February, the Algerian government claimed he was suspected of being associated with terrorist activities.
However, according to Mr. Zouaïmia and his family, who deny any allegations of terrorism, it was rather because he participated in demonstrations in Montreal and that he had publicly expressed political opinions that were displeasing to the regime. Algeria so he was held there.
Released from prison in early April without any terrorism case being filed against him, authorities however prevented Lazhar Zouaïmia from leaving Algeria.
Twice he tried to board a flight to Canada, but each time he was stopped and restrained by customs authorities in such a way as to cause him to disappear from his plane.
He finally boarded a plane that took him back to Montreal on Thursday, where he was given a warm welcome by his relatives and friends.
I am happy to be back and I thank everyone for their unity: the organizations, the friends …said Mr. Zouaïmia.
” I was accused of terrorism … That’s the thing that touched me the most. It’s not jail, it’s accusing me of terrorism. “
Few citizens in this situation
Mr. Zouaïmia is not the only Canadian citizen of Algerian origin who is currently prevented from leaving Algeria without an official reason.
In recent weeks, Radio-Canada spoke to two women who were also held there.
Like Mr. Zouaïmia, they are not formally prohibited from leaving the country, but when they arrive at the airport, they are prevented from flying. However, buying a new plane ticket every time is very expensive for them.
According to these women, this treatment is directly related to their civic involvement in Canada, where they participated in demonstrations and participated in the Canadian Algerian community.
At the Canadian embassy in Algiers, they were told that nothing could be done for them.
Hassina Bourza, who decided to break anonymity, explained to Radio-Canada that her file was not progressing in Algeria and she wanted to return to Canada. According to his wife Karim Benhadj, who was waiting for him in Montreal, nothing against his wife. There were no cases, but he was detained in Algeriahe moaned.
Intimidation
Many Canadians of Algerian descent who have recently traveled to their country of origin report prolonged questioning by the country’s authorities about their political activities in Canada.
While some have left Algeria after losing their plane, others are being held against their will in the country, but no formal case has been filed against them.
The participation of members of the Canadian Algerian community in demonstrations condemning oppression, the detention of political prisoners in Algeria or the support given to the pro-democracy movement Hirak will annoy the regime that puts pressure on citizens its in retaliation for their involvement as citizens and Politics.
With information from Marie-Isabelle Rochon
Source: Radio-Canada
