Following press reports in local Algerian media, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) can confirm that on Tuesday 14 February 2023, Raouf Farrah, Senior Analyst with the GI-TOC was arrested in Annaba, Algeria, by officers of the Gendarmerie Nationale and the judicial police. Raouf was visiting his parents with his wife and child when detained. He has been held under arrest since. Both his parents have also been detained and although his mother was released, his father remains in detention at the time of writing.

To date Algerian authorities have not presented any formal charges or notified his family of what he and his father are being held for. Nonetheless, we understand, that Raouf has now been placed in garde a vue (formal custody).

The GI-TOC is deeply troubled and concerned by Raouf’s arrest and is following closely and working to understand the legal context and what he is being accused of. Raouf is a highly respected member of our team of analysts, whose published work speaks for itself for its ethical standards and quality. At this stage, the GI-TOC expects that Algerian authorities will ensure that his rights are respected and that he is afforded due process as provided for by Algerian laws and Constitution.