KHALED Drareni, an Algerian journalist whose imprisonment led to several protests that highlighted the state crackdown on freedom of expression, has been released after he received a presidential pardon.
Drareni was serving two years in prison, reduced from three years, after he was convicted of charges which included “threatening national unity” and “inciting unarmed gatherings”.
Drareni was jailed with activists Samir Benlarbi and Slimane Hamitouche, who were found guilty of inciting unarmed gatherings.