Leading activist jailed

One of the leaders of the protests which have rocked Algeria for the past 16 months has been sentenced to a year in prison. Amira Bouraoui was convicted on six counts, including 'insulting Islam' and 'incitement to violate (the Covid-19) lockdown'. BBC News reports that her lawyer, Mustapha Bouchachi, said the conviction was unjust because there was no evidence. 'We are going to appeal,' he is quoted as saying. The gynaecologist in 2014 unsuccessfully opposed former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's attempt to run for a fourth term in office.