Version imprimableHis arrest came as part of a political sequence marked by the restriction of democratic freedoms in Algeria since the end of the Hirak revolt. His hearing, his trial and finally his acquittal constitute a succession of events in which popular solidarity played a decisive role.
An absurd accusation
A member of the Parti socialiste des travailleurs (PST, affiliated with the Fourth International), suspended since 2022, Lyes Touati is known for his constant commitment to democratic freedoms, social justice and the defence of workers’ rights. His anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist convictions, inscribed in the political tradition of his party, shaped his militant career. For 59 days, his imprisonment symbolized, for his comrades and supporters, an attempt to silence a voice committed to the consciousness and organization of the popular masses.
His arrest on 14 December 2025 caused a shockwave. The accusation of “collusion with a terrorist organisation” is based on a publication on the MEP Rima Hassan in Kabyle dress, in a nod to the MAK, a separatist and pro-Zionist organisation. This accusation has therefore aroused incomprehension and indignation.
Despite a file described as empty by his defence, the investigating judge ordered his detention warrant on 16 December, transforming his case into a symbol of the broader issue of freedom of expression and the right to political engagement.
Decisive solidarity
Faced with this situation, solidarity was quickly organized. Social networks played a central role in turning his name into a rallying point. Petitions were launched, collecting more than 700 signatures locally and more than 1,500 signatures in total. Political figures, activists and bloggers relayed his case. This mobilization made it possible to make his incarceration a national political issue.
His trial was held before the court of Béjaïa. On 12 February 2026, the verdict was handed down: his acquittal and his release. This decision was a huge relief. On his way out, welcomed by his comrades and relatives, Lyes Touati recalled the importance of solidarity and affirmed his determination to continue his fight for democratic freedoms.
His release demonstrates that solidarity can break isolation and impose justice in the face of arbitrariness. This sequence constitutes a major political lesson: no repression is invincible when collective consciousness is organized.
Finally, the Lyes Touati case is a reminder that democratic freedoms are never definitively acquired. They remain the product of struggles, commitments and solidarity. His release does not mark the end of a struggle, but confirms that only conscious and organized mobilization can pave the way for a society based on justice, dignity and popular sovereignty.
Translated by International Viewpoint from l’Anticapitaliste.
