As the 500-day mark approaches, efforts are intensifying to free Christophe Gleizes

Speaking at a press conference at Reporters Without Borders (RSF) headquarters on Thursday, 15 October, Christophe Gleizes's family has called once again for an end to the journalist's detention. This is their first public statement since this summer; it follows their return from Algeria, where they visited the journalist at Koléa Prison on 4 October. Imprisoned since 29 June 2025, Christophe Gleizes, a contributor to the French magazines So Foot and Society, was sentenced to seven years in prison for carrying out his work as a journalist.

In September, Christophe Gleizes's parents visited their son for the seventh time since his incarceration. In early July and again in August, Christophe's brother and partner also visited him. Christophe Gleizes has also received visits from the French Consul and the Archbishop of Algiers. "We are his only links to the outside world," his family says. Together with RSF and the support committee, they invite anyone wishing to show solidarity to write directly to Christophe in prison (Christophe Gleizes, Inmate Number: 54118, Koléa Penitentiary, Tipaza 42 000, Algeria)

"When we told Christophe about the efforts to secure his release, he told us how grateful he feels and how much he wants to live up to this outpouring of solidarity. Your support means a lot to him. It helps him hold on and gives him strength," his parents say.

Calling on local authorities and supporters

After Agen, Christophe Gleizes's birthplace, the City of Paris, where he lives and works, has shown its support for the journalist by voting unanimously on 8 October to make Christophe an "honorary citizen" of the French capital.

His family and support committee welcome this exemplary, bipartisan commitment and now call on all French local governments to join the movement to free him. They also urge these entities to engage with their Algerian counterparts through decentralised cooperation or sister-city partnerships to call for the journalist's release.

A football match to support Christophe

To mark the 500th day of his detention, RSF and his support committee are organising a solidarity match on 11 November. Twenty-two professional and amateur football players, journalists, cultural figures and public figures will come together for a symbolic match, marked by camaraderie and commitment, to remind everyone of the obvious: Christophe Gleizes, a sports journalist, belongs on the field and in the press box, not in prison.

Timeline of Christophe Gleizes' case and the campaign for his release

28 May 2024: Christophe Gleizes is arrested in Tizi Ouzou (Algeria) while covering a story on the JS Kabylie (JSK) football club. He is placed under a judicial control order.

29 June 2025: Christophe Gleizes is sentenced to seven years in prison for "glorifying terrorism" and "possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests".

30 June 2025: RSF launches a petition calling for Christophe Gleizes' release. To date, it has gathered more than 20,000 signatures.

16 July 2025: Around 100 public figures announce their support for the call for Christophe Gleizes' release.

24 July 2025: During the Tour de France cycling competition, a giant banner calling for Christophe Gleizes' release is unfurled -- an action coordinated by RSF. The aim is to turn one of the most high-profile sporting events of the year into a platform for press freedom.

August 2025: A giant banner in support of journalist Christophe Gleizes is unfurled on the front of the town hall in Agen, the town where he was born. The call for Christophe's release was also shared at the Avignon, Rock en Seine, and Couthures-sur-Garonne festivals, which included speeches by members of his support committee and RSF.

29 September 2025: To mark three months of the journalists' detention in Algeria, sixteen French journalism schools join forces to call for his release. RSF welcomed this initiative and renewed its call for his freedom.

20 November 2025: Nine Ligue 1 football clubs mobilise for the release of Christophe Gleizes, who is being held in Algeria.

29 November 2025: Nearly 30 prominent figures join forces to call for his release.

3 December 2025: Christophe Gleizes' appeal trial takes place at the Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeal, which upholds his seven-year prison sentence. RSF demands his release.

18 December 2025: A giant picture of Christophe on the facade of the FFF headquarters in Paris is revealed. On 19, 20, and 21 December, messages of support were broadcast during the round of 32 of the French Cup. These include a video message from Christophe Gleizes' mother, Sylvie Godard, addressed to her son, which is shown in the 7th minute of the Paris Saint-Germain - Fontenay-le-Comte match. This is a symbolic moment, as the number seven refers to the seven-year prison sentence inflicted on the journalist.

29 January 2026: An exceptional evening of support was organised at the Bataclan to mark Christophe Gleizes' seven months of detention. Bringing together more than 1,000 spectators and hosted by journalist Ambre Godillon, the event featured socially conscious artists who chose to perform free of charge: Alex Beaupain, Malik Djoudi, Jeanne Cherhal, Mathilda, Yuksek, and the group Elephanz.

27 February 2026: French local authorities commit to the release of Christophe Gleizes. Several municipalities, departments, and regions join the mobilisation, displaying banners, posters, and organising public statements to emphasise the importance of press freedom and that Christophe Gleizes's detention is a serious violation of the fundamental right to inform.

11 April 2026: A special friendly match held in Christophe's honour as part of the game between the French clubs RC Lens and FC Rouen.

3 May 2026: On World Press Freedom Day, Christophe Gleizes's family kicks off the match between the French clubs Paris FC and Stade Brestois during the 32nd matchday of the French Ligue 1 championship.

22 May 2026: During the French Football Cup, Christophe Gleizes' family kicked off the match between RC Lens and OGC Nice.

10 June 2026: Announcement that FIFA issued accreditation to Christophe Gleizes to cover the 2026 World Cup. With the support of the Sports & Rights Alliance (SRA) - a global coalition fighting corruption in sport - and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). On the eve of the tournament's opening, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces that an empty chair awaits Christophe to cover the competition and calls for his release.

15 June 2026: RSF coordinates, in the United States, an international mobilisation for Christophe Gleizes during the French national team press conference. In response to a question submitted by Christophe Gleizes from prison, relayed to his family and read out by the president of the UJSF, Vincent Duluc, Didier Deschamps sent him a message of support: "I had the opportunity to meet his parents at the Coupe de France final. I hope for him and for his family that he will be able, as quickly as possible, to be here and ask his questions himself."

10-12 July 2026: The 10th edition of the Couthures-sur-Garonne International Journalism Festival devoted significant attention to Christophe Gleizes's situation.

28 July 2026: During his first press conference, the French national team's new head coach, Zinédine Zidane, expressed his solidarity with Christophe Gleizes.

16-19 July 2026: The Festival des Vieilles Charrues displayed "FREE GLEIZES" graphics on its giant screens throughout the event in support of Christophe Gleizes, and several artists showed their support by wearing bracelets.

8 October 2026: The City of Paris unanimously voted to grant honorary citizenship to Christophe Gleizes.