The family of Christophe Ghiles, a French journalist imprisoned in Algeria on charges related to the glorification of terrorism, announced that he has decided to waive his right to appeal his seven-year prison sentence in hopes of receiving a presidential pardon from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Algeria: French journalist Christophe Gleizes, prosecuted for “glorifying terrorism,” withdraws his appeal and is reportedly seeking a presidential pardon from Abdelmadjid Tebboune#Algeria pic.twitter.com/ONaZlx9Tsx
— Algeria Gate -English (@algatedzEng) May 5, 2026
In a statement to France Inter radio, Sylvie Godard stated that her son, “Christophe Ghiles, places his full trust in a pardon from President Tebboune.” She added, “For this reason, the family has decided that Christophe will withdraw his appeal before the Court of Cassation.”
In December 2025, the Algerian judiciary (Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeals) upheld a seven-year prison sentence against the 36-year-old French journalist. Ghiles was convicted of charges including “glorifying terrorism” and communicating with the “MAK” movement, which is classified as a terrorist organization in Algeria.




