French-Moroccan Detainee Details Torture Under Algerian Military Regime
Ismail Snabi, a French-Moroccan national, has recounted a year-long ordeal of alleged torture and mistreatment at the hands of the Algerian military following his arrest in August 2023. Snabi’s account details a harrowing experience beginning with a jet ski trip that turned deadly when he and three friends strayed into Algerian waters.
French-Moroccan citizen Ismail Snabi, 28, has provided a detailed account of his detention by Algerian authorities following his arrest on August 29, 2023, in contested waters between Morocco and Algeria.
Snabi describes being forced into the water amidst gunfire. While reciting the Shahada, the Islamic profession of faith, he alleges Algerian military personnel mocked him, questioning his faith with remarks such as, “Are you Jewish, why are you doing the shahada?” He then describes being bound hand and foot, forced face down into a vessel, and having a boot pressed against his cheek.
Following his arrest, Snabi was imprisoned and learned of the deaths of his two friends, Bilal Kissi and Abdelali Mchiouer, who were killed during the incident. He claims he was interrogated about potential ties to Israel and subjected to beatings. He was initially sentenced to three months for illegal entry into Algeria but was later convicted on smuggling charges related to the jet ski, resulting in a one-year sentence.
Snabi alleges mistreatment during his imprisonment, leading to significant weight loss. He believes his Moroccan heritage contributed to his harsh treatment, highlighting the strained relations between Algeria and Morocco.
After paying a 100,000 Euro fine, Snabi was released in 2024. He has since visited the graves of his friends in Morocco and is seeking justice for their deaths while receiving psychiatric treatment for the trauma he endured.
Facts about the torture:
Initial Arrest Details:
– Forced to jump into water under gunfire
– While reciting Islamic shahada (profession of faith), guards mocked him asking “Are you Jewish, why are you doing the shahada?”
– Tied “like a lamb” with hands and feet bound
– Forced face-down in military vessel with boot pressed against cheek
During initial detention, Snabi reports being subjected to:
- Repeated physical abuse, including:
- Being bound by hands and feet
- Waterboarding with a bucket
- Burns to his facial hair using a lighter
- Multiple beatings
- Verbal abuse including:
- Anti-Moroccan slurs
- Derogatory comments about Moroccan monarchy
- Accusations of being Israeli agent
Interrogation focused on:
- Potential ties to Israel
- Religious knowledge (forced to recite Quranic verses)
- Alcohol consumption
- National loyalties
- Was photographed with bullet-riddled jet ski as “trophy”
Prison Conditions:
- Held in four different facilities
- Lost 30 kilograms
- Slept on wet blankets
- Faced overcrowding
- Subject to rumors about having AIDS
- Limited 20-minute family visits through glass partition
Legal Process:
- Four “expedited” trials
- Initial 3-month sentence for illegal entry
- Additional 1-year sentence for smuggling
- 100,000 EUR fine required for release
- Limited understanding of proceedings due to dialect differences
- Upon release, Snabi reports being warned by police against speaking about his treatment, with threats regarding his family in Algeria. French authorities are investigating following criminal complaints for homicide regarding the two deaths during the initial incident.
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