Algerian activist Ahmed Zaoui has been charged with subversion and transferred to Koléa Prison, where he's has no access to his lawyer, and family visits have been limited to twice a month.
The charge follows his arrest at gunpoint on October 2. The activist, who is a New Zealand citizen, was arrested after holding a meeting at his home and detained in a police station in the city of Medea.
His lawyer Deborah Manning says there were eight people in total at the meeting, many of whom have now also been arrested.
The meeting was followed with the publication of a Islamic Salvation Front "communiqué" that called for de-escalation and the lifting of restrictions imposed on political activists. It also pledged to follow "the path of peaceful resolution" to transform the country.
It had also criticised Algeria's government for creating an "acute political crisis" that's constrained freedom and created instability.
The activist, who was arrested at gunpoint earlier this month, is being held at Koléa Prison. (Source: 1News)
The ISF is the same political party Zaoui stood for in 1991 before a military coup saw the party banned and Zaoui forced to flee.
Manning said his arrest this year occurred amid a recent clampdown on gatherings that's seen many political opponents, activists and journalists arrested and imprisoned.
"His arrest was not expected and has been a shock to all," she said.
The human right's lawyer is calling on the United Nations to step in over concerns Zaoui's detention is "arbitrary as it is for political reasons" and because of concerns with his health.
Zaoui's a diabetic, and his family are only allowed to see him for 15 minutes every fortnight.
"The sought outcome is for Mr Zaoui to be released so that he can leave and return to live in New Zealand with his family," Manning said.
The lawyer said she's also been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A spokesperson for the ministry says consular officials are supporting Zaoui and his family but for privacy reasons no further information could be provided.
Zaoui fled Algeria in 1993 and after a lengthy legal battle was recognised as a refugee in 2003 and eventually allowed to stay in New Zealand. His wife and four children joined him in 2007. Manning said he'd recently returned to Algeria as he believed the political situation appeared to be settling. His plan long-term was to live between Algeria and New Zealand.
Manning said it's a unique situation where a New Zealand citizen and recognised refugee has been arbitrarily detained for their political opinion.
Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ's community manager Margaret Taylor said political tensions have risen in recent years and that journalists, activists and political opponents have all been targets of a government crackdown.
"There is an alarming level of repression today, and it's ramped up particularly since the 2019 protests calling for political reforms."
She said within the last 18 months some 200 activists have been arrested and put behind bars.
Days before Zaoui's arrest a UN special rapporteur Clément Nyaletsosi Voule had urged Algeria to allow peaceful assembly.
"Algeria must guarantee, in law and in practice, the right of its population to assemble and associate freely, to exchange views and ideas and defend specific interests, including in collaboration with partners within and outside the country,” Voule said.
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