Several commentators and social media users in Algeria have noted that the release coincides with the visit of a high-ranking US official and likely took placedue to politically motivated reasons

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

Karim Tabbou was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a complaint filed against him for allegedly misbehaving with a government official in public. He was subsequently charged on eight counts including slander

The North African country witnessed massive demonstrations by Hirak protesters on April 9 demanding that the government unconditionally release all political prisoners on the eve of beginning of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan

Zeghileche’s reduced one-year sentence includes a six-month jail term. Since he has already been in pre-trial detention since June 23, he is expected to be released in December