Prior to yesterday’s mass release, over 300 political prisoners were being detained by the Algerian government for supporting or participating in the anti-government Hirak protests or other opposition groups

According to Algerian human rights organizations, at least 300 people are currently in jail due to their participation in the Hirak protests

There are still close to 300 political detainees being held in prisons in Algeria. The president has indicated that more releases will take place in the days to come

He has been arrested on multiple charges, including for allegedly allegedly insulting president Abdelmadjid Tebboune 

The recently concluded legislative elections on June 12 saw no party win a majority in the parliament 

According to Fatiha Briki’s family and the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees, of which she was a member, the activist was taken into custody on June 17. No reason has been provided by the authorities

The elections saw only 30.2% of voters taking part, with almost 18 million of a total of 24.5 million choosing to not vote, in line with the boycott call by the Hirak movement and some leftist parties

Abderaouf Arslane is in pre-trial detention since May 25 on charges of being associated with the banned Islamist Rachad movement. His supporters say he is being persecuted for being part of the Hirak protests

The latest round of Hirak protests saw police place multiple restrictions in Algiers and other parts of the country. Friday’s mobilizations were the second round since the government announced a ban on unauthorized demonstrations

The Hirak protests continued on Friday despite a recent ban on unauthorized protests. Those on the streets were met with massive police deployment and large-scale detentions

The human rights office urged the Algerian government to stop its ongoing systematic crackdown on anti-government protesters and activists of the Hirak movement

Ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for June 12, the government has announced a ban on unauthorized protests. The government reportedly fears the protests will lead to a low turnout in the polls