Algeria pardons and releases journalist who became a key voice during 2019 pro-democracy protests [Video]

ALGIERS – Algeria has pardoned a journalist who emerged as a key voice during the country’s 2019 pro-democracy protests and was later imprisoned for taking foreign funding for his media outlets and threatening state security.

Ihsane El Kadi was released from prison Thursday evening, one of his lawyers, Fetta Seddat, told The Associated Press. He was among a larger group of figures pardoned and released on the 70th anniversary of the start of Algeria’s revolution, a national holiday that authorities have in the past used as an occasion to offer pardons.

El Kadi was the veteran editorial director of the media company responsible for the francophone station Radio M and news site Maghreb Emergent. Both reported heavily on Algeria’s weekly pro-democracy “Hirak” protests, which began in 2019 and led to the resignation of octogenarian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Known as the “voice of the Hirak,” both became forums for pro-Hirak voices and debates …