Boualem Sansal’s Lawyer Denies Claims by the Bâtonnier of Algiers and El Wata

Algerian daily El Watan, in an article signed by journalist Zineb Oubouchou (alias Salima Tlemcani), known for her direct ties to General Mohamed Mediene (alias Toufik), the real deep-state ruler today in Algeria who works in tandem with Saïd Chengriha, reported that detained writer Boualem Sansal had voluntarily dismissed his legal counsel, the French lawyer François Zimeray. The piece, based on statements made by Mohamed Baghdadi, the Bâtonnier of Algiers (In French legal tradition, a Bâtonnier is the elected president of a regional bar association, responsible for representing lawyers, handling disputes involving legal practitioners and ethical matters), and not on Boualem Sansal claims, said that Sansal voluntarily removed his legal counsel François Zimeray, has not engaged in a hunger strike, has had no interruption of medical treatment, faced no pressure to dismiss Zimeray, and whose lawyer’s visa denial is claimed to be an administrative matter rather than political obstruction.

However, contradicting these statements, Zimeray confirmed on March 1, 2025, that these claims are false. François Zimeray has flatly denied El Watan’s version and asserted that:

• Boualem Sansal has NEVER written a letter dismissing François Zimeray
• Boualem Sansal is not in hunger strike
• Boualem Sansal has not received his family since 10 days ago
• Sansal was allegedly pressured to replace him with a “non-Jewish” lawyer.

Baghdadi wraps up with this neat conclusion: Zimeray should no longer speak publicly about Sansal. The aim is clear: isolate the hostage Sansal, strip him of external legal representation, and control the narrative.

What’s happening in reality, is that Mohamed Baghdadi is playing the role of legal and judicial puppet for Mohamed Mediene (alias Toufik), who is now in charge of the affairs from his villa adjoining Khaled Nezzar’s in Hydra. By reading a ready-made script by the Algerian intelligence apparatus, he gives form and cloaks the case in the veneer of procedural professionalism. Zineb Oubouchou (alias Salima Tlemcani) and Mohamed Baghdadi are the facade for the regime in Algiers, manufacturing a procedural excuse to justify removing independent legal representation, controlling the narrative through regime-friendly legal figures.

Mohamed Mediene is now taking concrete measures to cut off external communication to Boualem Sansal. No lawyer, no independent verification, no accountability for what may come next.

Abderrahmane Fares ✍️