Algerian Mayor Arrested After Controversial Ban on New Year Candies
In a case that has ignited widespread debate on social media, an Algerian municipal leader from Telagh, located in the Sidi Bel Abbès province, was placed in provisional detention on Monday after issuing a decree prohibiting the sale of New Year candies, referred to as "the trunk of the Christian tree."
The judge at the Sidi Bel Abbès court attributed the detention to several serious charges, including:
incitement to hatred and racism, abuse of power, and disseminating an administrative decree on social media without notifying the relevant authorities.
This municipal decision was made late last year, wherein the local official threatened non-compliant merchants with a 30-day shop closure and a fine of 20,000 Algerian dinars.
The move drew a wave of criticism, with many viewing it as an infringement on individual freedoms and religious beliefs, prompting the mayor to rescind the ban just days after its announcement.
The mayor's detention has reignited discussions online, with some arguing that the punishment stems from the damage the decree inflicted on the country's image, while others believe that imprisonment is an excessive response to the nature of the offense.
This incident highlights the tension between local administrative decisions and legal accountability, demonstrating how a limited measure can quickly escalate into a national public opinion issue.
