Algeria says arrested activist died of ‘natural causes’

Algeria blamed “natural causes” for the death of a pro-democracy activist in detention last month, which sparked outrage and prompted a manslaughter lawsuit.

Hakim Debbazi, 55, was arrested in February after posting on Facebook in support of the pro-democracy movement Hirak. According to the Algerian rights group LADDH, he died on April 24.

Earlier this month, his family said they were suing the state for manslaughter and “failing to help a person in danger”, and were seeking a billion euros in compensation.

On Tuesday, Justice Minister Abderrachid Tabi told parliament that Debbazi had been transferred to hospital on April 17 “after falling ill” at the Kolea prison near the capital Algiers.

“He died at the hospital three days later,” Tabi said, local media reported. “The autopsy found that he had died of natural causes”.

Amnesty International has called on authorities to allow an independent investigation into his death.

His death follows the deaths of activists Mohamed Tamalt and Kamel Eddine Fekhar in detention in 2016 and 2019, respectively.

According to the CNLD prisoners’ support group, more than 260 people are imprisoned in Algeria in connection with the Hirak protest movement or rights advocacy.