Writer Kamel Daoud and Wife Sentenced Over Novel Privacy Case

10 November 2026 · Algeria Now

Photo : images.radio-canada.ca (adresse collée)

On Tuesday 10 November 2026, the correctional court of Fellaoucène in Oran sentenced writer Kamel Daoud and his wife Aïcha Dahdouh, tried in absentia, to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 300,000 dinars each, and confirmed international arrest warrants against them.

They were convicted of breaching professional secrecy, stealing a medical file and violating privacy in relation to Daoud’s novel Houris, which won the Goncourt prize. The complaint was lodged by Saâda Arbane, who joined the case as a civil party; the psychiatric hospital of Sidi Chahmi also acted as a civil party.

The public prosecutor had asked for six years’ imprisonment on 13 October 2026. The psychiatrist denied any breach of medical secrecy, while Aïcha Dahdouh acknowledged that she had been in contact with Arbane and had introduced the two parties during Ramadan 2022 at the request of Arbane’s adoptive mother. She said Arbane had initially consented to the project but later withdrew consent.

Dahdouh said she could not attend the hearing because of family constraints and ongoing divorce proceedings and has not returned to Algeria since October 2024. She reiterated her confidence in Algerian justice and said she would oppose the judgment.

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Writer Kamel Daoud and Wife Sentenced Over Novel Privacy Case

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