Algerian president pardons writer Boualem Sansal after German request

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has granted a pardon to French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal following a request from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Algerian presidency said on Wednesday.

Algerian authorities arrested Sansal a year ago and a court sentenced him in March to five years in jail for undermining national unity, in a case that strained already difficult relations between Algeria and France, its colonial-era master.

Sansal, 81, who has long been a critic of Algerian authorities and had been living in France, denied the charge against him, saying he never intended to offend Algeria or state institutions.

The Algerian presidency said in a statement that Tebboune "responded positively" to Steinmeier's appeal, which he described as "noteworthy for its humanitarian nature and motives". Tebboune previously described Sansal as an "imposter".

Germany will take responsibility for Sansal's transfer and medical treatment, the presidency statement said. French media have reported that Sansal has cancer.

French President Emmanuel Macron thanked both Steinmeier for his mediation and Tebboune for what he called a "gesture of humanity".

Macron added that he was open to talks with Tebboune about bilateral issues.

Earlier, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu told the National Assembly in Paris that his government was "relieved" to hear of Sansal's pardon, adding he hoped the novelist would be reunited with his family "as soon as possible" and receive medical treatment.

Ties between Paris and Algiers deteriorated sharply after France recognised Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.