Algerian authorities arrested Sansal a year ago and a court sentenced him in March to five years in jail for undermining national unity. Sansal, 81, who has long been a critic of Algerian authorities and had been living in France, denied the charge against him, saying he never intended to offend Algeria or state institutions.
The Algerian presidency said in a statement that Tebboune “responded positively” to Steinmeier’s appeal, which he described as “noteworthy for its humanitarian nature and motives”.
Tebboune previously described Sansal as an “imposter”.
Germany will take responsibility for Sansal’s transfer and medical treatment, the presidency statement said. French media have reported that Sansal has cancer. It was not immediately clear why Germany had intervened in the case but Steinmeier’s appeal came after calls by other writers, French President Emmanuel Macron, and human rights groups for Sansal’s release.
The Sansal case deepened the diplomatic rift between Algeria and France, its former colonial master. Ties between Paris and Algiers deteriorated sharply after France recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
–Reuters–
