The lawyer for Algerian democracy activist and New Zealand citizen Ahmed Zaoui says his family are "very concerned" for his welfare after he was moved to a high-security prison in Algeria following his arrest this month.
Prominent human rights lawyer Deborah Manning said Zaoui has been charged with subversion under a new law in Algeria and has been transferred to Koléa Prison, which is known for its overcrowding and harsh conditions.
Zaoui, who is a dual citizen of New Zealand and Algeria, was intially detained in a police station after he was arrested at gunpoint by Algerian security forces in the city of Medea earlier this month.
His lawyer said he was arrested for holding a political meeting at his home and making comments on the Algerian political and human rights situation. She said he issued a communique that called for political dialogue within Algeria to support a path of peace and transformation for the country and the lives of all Algerians amidst economic and political crisis.
Manning said Zaoui is now only allowed to see his family for 15 minutes every two weeks and they are very concerned for his welfare given his diabetic health condition.
Manning has submitted a request to the United Nations (UN) asking them to make an urgent appeal to the Algerian authorities on the basis that his detention is arbitrary (as it is for political reasons) and due to concerns for his health.
"I have been engaging with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and all I am able to say on that is there is an open line of communication and I am grateful for their advice and assistance to date. I am not in a position to comment on this further at this stage," Manning said.
"It has become clear that Mr Zaoui has been arrested amidst a recent tightening on peaceful assembly and association in Algeria where many journalists have also been arrested and imprisoned.
"His arrest was not expected and has been a shock to all."
Zaoui rose to prominence in New Zealand after he was detained when entering the country where he sought asylum as a refugee. He was recognised as a refugee in 2003 and then got citizenship in 2014.
Manning said Zaoui returned to Algeria in recent years to be with family as the political situation appeared to be settling. He was planning to return to New Zealand later this year and to live between the two countries.
"Mr Zaoui, and his family are grateful for the support they have received from New Zealand since his arrest, including many expressions of support. The sought outcome is for Mr Zaoui to be released so that he can leave and return to live in New Zealand with his family," Manning said.
His arrest comes after a crackdown by Algerian security services. According to Amnesty International, an estimated 300 people have been arrested in Algeria on charges related to freedom of speech since a law change in April cracking down on media freedom.
Just days before Zaoui's arrest, the UN expert on the right to peaceful assembly and association made a statement at the end of a 10-day official visit to Algeria calling on the Government to allow peaceful assembly and association.
"The Government must loosen tight restrictions on assemblies and associations to bring laws and practice into conformity with the national Constitution and international human rights law," Clément Nyaletsosi Voule stated.
