An Algerian judge under pressure from Islamists to uphold a Christian’s conviction for alleged proselMohamed Ibaouene, 36, was shocked to learn on Dec. 11 that he had been convicted in absentia on July 4, 2012 by a court in Tigzirt, sentenced to one year in prison and fined 50,000 dinars (US $635) on a charge of pressuring a Muslim to convert. His attorney, Mohamed Benbelkacem, told Morning Star News that the appeals judge in Tindouf, in raising Ibaouene’s fine to 100,000 dinars, must have realized there was no basis for the charge but was under pressure from Islamists to impose a sentence.
“The judge must have undergone some pressure to arrive at this sentence – that is the only explanation,” Benbelkacem said. “That is why he had to choose to split off one of the two punishments; he could not decide for the punishment sought by the prosecutor, namely two years in prison followed by a 100,000-dinar fine, because it was unfair and unfounded. Unfortunately, we are faced with an act of injustice, and we intend to appeal.”
