A court in Bir Mourad Rais, Algeria, has sentenced two individuals to seven years in prison for desecrating the national flag during an event at an Algiers hotel. The court also ordered the immediate detention of the convicted men.
Algeria national flag desecration
The incident, which occurred recently, sparked public outrage. The defendants were charged with intentionally defiling the national flag, a violation of Article 160 bis of the Penal Code.
In addition to the prison sentences, the court mandated that the two individuals jointly pay 20 million Algerian Dinars to the public treasury as compensation for the damage caused. The hotel where the incident took place was not recognized as a civil party in the case.
The verdict came after the prosecution had sought a ten-year prison sentence for both defendants. The accused were identified as the event organizer, (Kh.A.A.), and the photographer, (A.M.S.), who recorded and live-streamed the act on social media.
The Public Prosecutor at the court, Abdel Fattah Kadri, stated that following the circulation of the video, which showed an individual stepping on the national flag during a ceremony at an Algiers hotel, strict orders were issued for the apprehension of those involved.
Investigations led to the arrest of two individuals, identified as (Kh.R.) and (A.M.S.). They were subsequently brought before the judicial authorities.
The Public Prosecutor further explained that after the defendants were brought to trial under immediate appearance procedures, they were convicted and sentenced to seven years of "haddan" (enforceable) imprisonment, with their detention confirmed during the court session.
Related topics: Algeria, national flag, desecration, court sentence, prison, Algerian law
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