Update: Release of those sentenced for breaking Ramadan fast in Algeria

via WLUML
On 29 September, a court in Biskra sentenced 6 men to 4 years in prison and a 1000 euro fine, for eating in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan. The verdict has since been overturned and the prisoners are freed.

Although the Algerian constitution guarantees the freedoms of belief, religion and conscience, the original verdict was based on article 144 (a) 2 of the Penal Code, stipulating that « tout individu qui porte atteinte aux préceptes de l’Islam par des écrits, des dessins ou tout autre moyen est passible de lourdes peines » [“any individual who undermines the precepts of Islam in writings, drawings or by any other means is liable to serious penalty” --ed.].

For further details from the WLUML site (in French) please see here:
http://wluml.org/french/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-562678