Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Algerian authorities has on Sunday expelled a Reuters journalist after he was detained allegedly for covering a mass protest in the country against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

According to Reuters news reports, the journalist named Tarek Amara, a Tunisian national, was arrested on Saturday after an official source denied a Reuters’ report allegedly stating that around one million protesters have demonstrated a large anti-government march on March 29 where the protesters urged Bouteflika to resign, as well as its inner government too.

Reuters failed to able to reach communications ministries and officials at the foreign office for comment over Amara’s arrest. The new agency spokesperson has stated Reuters stands by its coverage.

The spokesperson said, “We are concerned by the Algerian authorities’ treatment of Reuters journalist Tarek Amara and are seeking further information on the matter.”

It further added, “Tarek’s reporting on the protests in Algiers was fair and balanced.”

In an official statement on Friday, which was issued by the national security directorate, has also said that it “denies what has been circulated especially regarding figures in the media, national or foreign, about the number of participants in marches which the capital Algiers witnessed on Friday, March 29”.

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