A Christian in Algeria has been sentenced to five years in prison, after he posted a message on social media which created a furore. He was given the maximum term, being charged with blasphemy against Islam and its prophet.
Slimane Bouhafs' message the started it all was about the light of Jesus overcoming the "lie" of Islam and its prophet. He also posted pictures of an Islamist terrorist executing a civilian.
Soon after he was arrested on July 31.
As per the Algerian Constitution, such content is deemed as an insult to Islam, the state religion in the country.
Said Salhi, Vice-President of the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights, have demanded the 49 year old's unconditional release with "a broad mobilization to push back an unlawful act, to let justice triumph."
The arrest came as a shock to Bouhafs' family as they denied that he has done anything wrong and termed it a "sham" trial.
According to his daughter, Afaf, her father is known for his "commitment to democracy and religious freedom in all his writings published on his Facebook page."
In 1997, he started practiced Christianity, and was baptized in 2006.
His family is also concerned as he suffers from inflammatory rheumatism which takes a bad shape with coupled with stress.
Bouhafs belongs to separatist group Kabylie, a movement of self-determination which is also known as MAK of which the authorities are against.
His arrest and maximum penalty has been seen as a means to silence the group.