Rabat - Hichem Aboud, an Algerian political opponent and journalist, has been missing for at least three days following his arrival in Spain on Thursday.
Aboud, a leading media figure who has been living in exile in France since 1997, is among those constantly targeted by Algerian authorities. On the day of his disappearance, he shared a video revealing that he was facing new assassination attempts from Algerian intelligence services.
In an interview with Medi 1 TV on Saturday, Aboud's lawyer, Dalil Essakali Moulay Abdeljalil, spoke from Lille, France. He stated that Aboud had contacted him on Thursday morning, October 17, to share his plans to fly from Paris to Barcelona that same day.
Essakali voiced serious concerns, stating that "Aboud's situation suggests a kidnapping rather than just a disappearance." He attributed this incident to the same individuals responsible for previous attempts on Aboud's life, asserting, "He is a target of the Algerian military junta."
There remains uncertainty about whether Aboud was kidnapped while departing from Paris airport or if he voluntarily left France to vanish upon reaching Spain, as he reportedly did not contact anyone to confirm his arrival.
All theories surrounding Aboud's disappearance point toward a possible kidnapping or a setup orchestrated by Algerian authorities. This mysterious case has sparked considerable concern and solidarity among many.
In a statement to Morocco World News (MWN), Algerian journalist and political analyst Oualid Kebir expressed grave concern over Hichem Aboud's disappearance, stating, “The last one who called him on the phone was his wife. He told her he arrived and would leave the airport at once. But then, all contact with him was cut off completely.”
Kebir noted the troubling coincidence that Aboud’s last YouTube video addressed his earlier kidnapping case involving Mouloud M’Henna and his father. “Aboud stopped all communication on the same day he posted his final video, where he condemned assassination attempts against him, allegedly arranged by Mouloud M’Henna, the son of the recently ousted General Djebbar M’Henna, who had led external intelligence since 2022,” he explained.
Known for his fierce criticism of the Algerian regime, Aboud, author of "Mafia Des Généraux," has long been a target of government persecution. “We don’t even know if he is dead or alive,” Kebir added. He hopes that Aboud would return safely, describing him as “an extraordinary journalist and writer, blacklisted by the Algerian regime.”
Aboud has also emerged as a prominent symbol of the Hirak movement in Algeria. His active presence on social media, especially through his YouTube channel, showcases unwavering support from demonstrators who chant “Hichem Aboud sahafi Hor” (Hichem Aboud is a free journalist) during his videos.
This phrase not only reflects the Algerian regime’s aggressive efforts to discredit him, which include multiple in absentia convictions and international arrest warrants branding him as a "terrorist," but also serves as a critique of the local press.
The regime has effectively silenced dissenting voices, leading to the imprisonment of many journalists and the closure of critical media outlets. As a result, Aboud faces intense vilification from the regime’s propaganda, which portrays him as a “traitor to the nation.”
As the search for Aboud continues, the uncertainty surrounding his fate leaves many questions unanswered. His sudden disappearance, coupled with the alarming context of previous threats against him, has sparked widespread concern among supporters and fellow journalists.
While calls for his safe return grow louder, the lack of communication raises fears about his well-being. Until concrete information emerges, the wait for confirmation of what happened to Aboud remains a source of anxiety for those who champion press freedom.
Aboud, a leading media figure who has been living in exile in France since 1997, is among those constantly targeted by Algerian authorities. On the day of his disappearance, he shared a video revealing that he was facing new assassination attempts from Algerian intelligence services.
In an interview with Medi 1 TV on Saturday, Aboud's lawyer, Dalil Essakali Moulay Abdeljalil, spoke from Lille, France. He stated that Aboud had contacted him on Thursday morning, October 17, to share his plans to fly from Paris to Barcelona that same day.
Essakali voiced serious concerns, stating that "Aboud's situation suggests a kidnapping rather than just a disappearance." He attributed this incident to the same individuals responsible for previous attempts on Aboud's life, asserting, "He is a target of the Algerian military junta."
There remains uncertainty about whether Aboud was kidnapped while departing from Paris airport or if he voluntarily left France to vanish upon reaching Spain, as he reportedly did not contact anyone to confirm his arrival.
All theories surrounding Aboud's disappearance point toward a possible kidnapping or a setup orchestrated by Algerian authorities. This mysterious case has sparked considerable concern and solidarity among many.
In a statement to Morocco World News (MWN), Algerian journalist and political analyst Oualid Kebir expressed grave concern over Hichem Aboud's disappearance, stating, “The last one who called him on the phone was his wife. He told her he arrived and would leave the airport at once. But then, all contact with him was cut off completely.”
Kebir noted the troubling coincidence that Aboud’s last YouTube video addressed his earlier kidnapping case involving Mouloud M’Henna and his father. “Aboud stopped all communication on the same day he posted his final video, where he condemned assassination attempts against him, allegedly arranged by Mouloud M’Henna, the son of the recently ousted General Djebbar M’Henna, who had led external intelligence since 2022,” he explained.
Known for his fierce criticism of the Algerian regime, Aboud, author of "Mafia Des Généraux," has long been a target of government persecution. “We don’t even know if he is dead or alive,” Kebir added. He hopes that Aboud would return safely, describing him as “an extraordinary journalist and writer, blacklisted by the Algerian regime.”
Aboud has also emerged as a prominent symbol of the Hirak movement in Algeria. His active presence on social media, especially through his YouTube channel, showcases unwavering support from demonstrators who chant “Hichem Aboud sahafi Hor” (Hichem Aboud is a free journalist) during his videos.
This phrase not only reflects the Algerian regime’s aggressive efforts to discredit him, which include multiple in absentia convictions and international arrest warrants branding him as a "terrorist," but also serves as a critique of the local press.
The regime has effectively silenced dissenting voices, leading to the imprisonment of many journalists and the closure of critical media outlets. As a result, Aboud faces intense vilification from the regime’s propaganda, which portrays him as a “traitor to the nation.”
As the search for Aboud continues, the uncertainty surrounding his fate leaves many questions unanswered. His sudden disappearance, coupled with the alarming context of previous threats against him, has sparked widespread concern among supporters and fellow journalists.
While calls for his safe return grow louder, the lack of communication raises fears about his well-being. Until concrete information emerges, the wait for confirmation of what happened to Aboud remains a source of anxiety for those who champion press freedom.
