Djamila Bentouis, 60, had come from France to say goodbye to her dying mother when she was allegedly arrested by the Algerian authorities. She is accused of “membership in a terrorist organization’, “undermining security and national unity” and “inciting unarmed assembly” Hirak started in February 2019 with peaceful demonstrations opposing a fifth candidacy of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (deposed in April 2019 and died in September 2021), before expanding to demands for political reforms and increased freedoms.