Algeria might release Ali Balhah before Eid al-Fiter
Algeria, Politics, 12/3/2002

The Islamic Salvation Front announced on Sunday that the Algerian government is considering the release of the deputy chairman of the front, Ali Balhah, from prison where he had been since 1992.

Balhah lawyer, Ali Yahya Abdul Nour, said that aides for the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika met with Balhah recently in his cell at the military prison in Bleida which is 50 Km to the south of the capital Algiers in order to discuss possibilities of releasing him. The lawyer added that "Balhah might be released before Eid al-Fiter, if the two sides will reach settlements."

Since 1992 Balhah has been spending an imprisonment sentence with the chairman of the front, Abbasi Madani, on charge of threatening the national security of the country. The imprisonment period expires next Summer.

Yesterday, Butaflika issued an amnesty on 5,000 persons on the fall of Eid al-Fiter (holiday), but this decision gave no mention to Madani or Balhah. This amnesty, however, excludes persons convicted of committing crimes in terrorism acts and destruction as well as acts of killing.

On the other hand, four persons were killed and other 6 wounded in an attack launched by an armed Islamic group on Sunday evening against Ammi Mousa village in Gleizan province ( 300 Km to the west of the capital.)

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