Algeria: arresting Balhah and then releasing him

The Algerian police yesterday arrested the second ranking official in the banned Salvation Islamic Front, Ali Balhah, and subjected him to 7 hours of investigation before releasing him.

The Algerian authorities released Balhah in July after 12 years imprisonment and the police arrested him while he was heading with his son to Teizi Ozo city to take part in Friday's prayers.

After he was interrogated by the police on the reasons behind his going to Teizi Ozo, the police released him. An official in the Front said that Balhah was also interrogated over statements he had made in the capital Algiers two days ago.

The police confirmed the detention of Balhaj but gave no other details. The official in the front said that Balhah has to get a prior license whenever he wants to leave the capital Algiers.

When he was released in July beside the leader of the front Abbasi Madani who was under custody, Balhah refused to agree to government conditions for his release, already accepted by Madani. The police had arrested Balhah after his release in July because of statements he had made and considered as a violation to the decision taken by the authorities provided for banning him from practicing political activities.