Hundreds gathered near the French National Assembly to demand the release of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, detained in Algeria since November.

Political leaders from various parties, including the Assembly and Senate presidents, joined the rally, calling his imprisonment a violation of free expression.

The Algerian prosecutor has sought a 10-year sentence for Sansal, accusing him of threatening national unity.

Critics, including exiled cartoonist Ghilas Aïnouche, argue the charges are politically motivated, targeting Sansal’s outspoken views.

French officials are pushing for a resolution in Parliament to demand his release, as tensions between France and Algeria escalate.

Supporters warn that a harsh sentence could be a death sentence for the 80-year-old writer.