On December 14, Lyes TOUATI, internationalist socialist activist, leading figure of the 2019 popular movement (Hirak) and the ecological struggle, among others, and leading member of the Socialist Workers' Party (PST), was arrested once again near his home in the town of Aokas.
The investigating judge in Bejaia ordered his remand in custody at Oued Ghir prison. He is being prosecuted under Article 87 bis of the Penal Code for alleged “association with the MAK.” He faces between 5 and 10 years in prison.
The case against him was only built after his cell phone was searched. He is mainly accused of private political exchanges with his PST comrades, as well as an ironic Facebook post dated October 11, 2025, entitled “Dedication to Ferhat MEHENI, the pro-Zionist Kabyle.” In this post, Lyes mocks the leader of the MAK (a notorious racist and pro-Zionist secessionist group) by highlighting a photo of Rima HASSAN, a member of the European Parliament from La France Insoumise (LFI), dressed in traditional Kabyle clothing. HASSAN is known for her commitment to the Palestinian resistance and for her role in organizing the flotilla to break the blockade of Gaza. The police scandalously twisted the meaning of this post to attribute to him the exact opposite of his political positions, which are well known to everyone.
Lyes is an activist for just causes, a model citizen, deeply attached to his country and his people, for whom he has worked tirelessly. He is involved in all social and democratic struggles. His activist career has been marked by his constant anti-racist, anti-imperialist, anti-Zionist, and resolutely pro-Palestinian commitment. The widespread outpouring of solidarity in his favor testifies to his great political and moral integrity, as well as the sympathy and respect he enjoys in his region and beyond.
WE, THE SIGNATORIES OF THIS APPEAL, CONSIDER:
- That the arrest of Lyes TOUATI is clearly a case of criminalization for his opinions and constitutes a serious violation of fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of expression, communication, and organization.
- We protest against the arbitrary detention of LYES TOUATI and call for his immediate release.
- We demand that the charges against him be dropped.
- We denounce the repression of trade union and association activists and call for the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.