Christophe Gleizes
Christophe Gleizes | |
|---|---|
Undated photo of Christophe Gleizes. | |
| Born | 2 February 1989 (36 years old) Agen, France |
| Citizenship | French |
| Education | Sciences Po Lille |
| Occupation | Freelance sports journalist |
| Employer | So Foot |
| Criminal charges | Apology for terrorism (Article 87 of the Algerian Penal Code) |
| Criminal penalty | 7 years imprisonment |
Christophe Gleizes (born 2 February 1989 in Agen) is a freelance French sports journalist.[1][2] He specializes his work on African football. His works have appeared in the media of So Foot and Society.
In May 2024, he travelled to Algeria to investigate the death of JS Kabylie player Albert Ebossé, who died in 2014. The Washington Post reported that Gleizes had reasons to suspect that Ebossé's death was not as the Algerian authorities claimed. They claimed that a rock thrown by a fan killed Ebossé, but Gleizes had interviewed sources who suspected that Ebossé was killed at the request of Algerian authorities.
Gleizes had arrived on a tourist visa, not on a required journalist accreditation, as he believed he wouldn't be granted one.[3][4]
On 28 May 2024, he was arrested by Algerian authorities in Tizi Ouzou while reporting on the JS Kabylie football club. In June 2025, the Algerian courts found him guilty of glorifying terrorism and sentenced him to seven years' incarceration.[5] The setence was deeply regretted by France while retriating it's commitment to freedom of press[6]. The case has proven controversial.[7][8][9] Reporters Sans Frontières has described the case as "unfounded and outrageous."[10] His appeal was rejected in December 2025.[11]
He is currently imprisoned in a 10 m² square cell at Tizi Ouzou prison, which he shares with another inmate.[12]
References
- ^ Lepidi, Pierre (18 February 2018). "En Afrique, quand le rêve de football aboutit à « la traite d'êtres humains »". Le Monde. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "Scandale à la FFF: le co-auteur raconte les dessous de l'enquête, Petit pas surpris des révélations". BFM. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "He investigated a soccer star's death and ended up charged with terrorism". The Washington Post. 2025-10-15. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2025-10-20. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
- ^ "Christophe Gleizes, journaliste emprisonné en Algérie pour « apologie du terrorisme » : « Si l'on n'était pas aussi tristes et catastrophés, on en rirait »" (in French). 2025-07-05. Archived from the original on 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
- ^ Laemle, Brice (2 December 2025). "Christophe Gleizes: The life on hold of a French journalist imprisoned in Algeria". Le Monde. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ étrangères, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires. "Algérie - Condamnation de Christophe Gleizes (30.06.25)". France Diplomatie - Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-07.
- ^ Schofield, Hugh (2 July 2025). "Outcry after Algeria sentences French sports journalist to seven years in jail". BBC News. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ Sieff, Kevin (15 October 2025). "He investigated a soccer star's death and ended up charged with terrorism". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "French sports journalist Gleizes 'isolated' in Algerian prison". The New Arab. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "Christophe Gleizes: a hardworking reporter who does not belong in jail". Reporters Sans Frontières. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "Algerian court upholds 7-year sentence for French journalist Christophe Gleizes". AP News. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
- ^ "Christophe Gleizes, la vie entre parenthèses d'un journaliste incarcéré en Algérie" (in French). 2025-12-02. Archived from the original on 2 December 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-07.