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Leading Algeria opposition figure Karim Tabbou arrested: rights groups

Leading Algeria opposition figure Karim Tabbou arrested: rights groups
One of Algeria's leading Hirak protests figures Karim Tabbou, who has previously been arrested and detained, recently posted a tribute to an activist who died in mysterious circumstances while in detention on his Facebook page.
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Karim Tabbou is one of Algeria's leading opposition figures and faces of the country's Hirak protests [Getty]

One of leading opposition figures, , has been arrested again, rights groups have said.

was one of the most-recognisable faces during unprecedented mass rallies, led by the pro-democracy movement, that began in February 2019. They demanded a sweeping overhaul of the ruling system in place since the independence from France in 1962.

He was detained Friday evening at his home, the rights groups said.

Algeria's Human Rights League (LADDH) said on its Facebook page: "We still don't know the reasons for this new arrest".

On Tuesday Tabbou published on his Facebook page a "homage" to another activist, , whose death the Rights League announced. Debbazi had been detained in February.

"Physically dead, the martyrs of the just causes are more than alive," Tabbou wrote.

He blamed for the death of "modest and humble" Debbazi after a heart attack, and said the activist had been "committed body and sole to the Hirak".

Tabbou called on people to honour Debbazi's "sacrifice" and "continue our fight for the advent of a state of law".

leads a small, unregistered opposition party, the Democratic Social Union (UDS).

In March 2020, he was for "undermining national security". The conviction stemmed from his criticism of the army's involvement in politics.

He was also detained and released on other occasions, including just before last June's parliamentary election which Hirak boycotted.

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The forced longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down. Demonstrations continued in a push for deep reforms but the movement waned when the coronavirus pandemic struck.

More than 300 people are detained in Algeria over links to the or rights activism, the National Committee for the Release of Detainees (CNLD) says.

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