RSF - Reporters sans frontières

12/15/2025 | Press release | Archived content

#FreeGleizes: Sylvie Godard, mother of imprisoned French journalist Christophe Gleizes, requests presidential pardon for her son from Algerian President Tebboune

In a letter sent to the President of the Republic of Algeria, Christophe Gleizes' mother, Sylvie Godard, has requested a presidential pardon for her son, a French journalist and regular contributor to the French media group So Press, who is currently detained in the country. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) supports this initiative to help liberate him after more than 18 months of restrictions, including five-and-a-half months behind bars.

After being arrested in May 2024, the independent journalist was placed under judicial supervision, and then sentencedin June 2025 to seven years in prison - a sentence that was upheld on appealon 3 December. Christophe Gleizes, a regular contributor to So Footand Society(magazines by the So Press group) known for his integrity and professionalism, must be allowed to return to France and reunite with his loved ones. This is the spirit of the request submitted by Christophe Gleizes's mother, "with solemnity and deep emotion," to the Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on 10 December 2025.

"The confirmation of my son's sentencing to seven years in prison has been an immense shock for him, as it was for me and his family. This sentence is incomprehensible to us in light of the facts and Christophe's career as a sports journalist, driven by a passion to tell stories about football. Through his writings, my son has always shown respect and admiration for the Algerian people and their football. That is why, with solemnity and emotion, I have asked the Algerian President for a presidential pardon on my son's behalf, so that he may regain his freedom and be reunited with his family. His grandmother - my own mother - who is 102, desperately wants to be reassured that she will be able to see him again soon. We call on President Tebboune to exercise compassion."

Sylvie Godard,
Mother of Christophe Gleizes

"RSF supports Christophe Gleizes's request for a presidential pardon in order to put an end to a grave injustice. We commend Christophe Gleizes's determination, as well as the mobilisation of all those who have committed themselves to securing his release. We now call on the Algerian authorities to swiftly take the only decision possible in this case: release Christophe and allow him to be reunited with his loved ones as soon as possible. The judicial process has now run its course; everything must be done to find a humane outcome to this painful situation."

Thibaut Bruttin,
RSF Director General

"After lengthy discussions with Christophe Gleizes and in agreement with his family, my colleague Amirouche Bakouri and I filed an appeal on points of law with the registry of Tizi Ouzou prison in addition to the request for a presidential pardon. The appeal in cassation allows him to receive regular visits from my Algerian colleague, and Christophe may also request his release before the Supreme Court. As part of the presidential pardon procedure, his request for release may also be accompanied by a request to adjust his sentence. It is also very important psychologically for Christophe to challenge all guilt, because, as he stated before the Court, he was merely doing his job and did not, in any way, violate journalism ethics. We want as much chance as possible on Christophe Gleizes's side as we continue his fight for freedom. We are fully committed to working alongside the support committee coordinated by RSF."

Emmanuel Daoud,
French lawyer representing Christophe Gleizes

Christophe Gleizestravelled to Algeria in May 2024 to produce a report on the golden years of Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK), a local football club, in the 1980s. Although this football enthusiast and sports journalist was simply carrying out his professional duties, on 29 June, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for "glorifying terrorism" and "possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests." This sentence was upheld on appeal on 3 December.

Timeline:

28 May 2024: Christophe Gleizes is arrested in Tizi Ouzou (Algeria) while reporting on JS Kabylie (JSK). He is placed under judicial supervision.

29 June 2025: The French football journalist is sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with immediate effect, for "glorifying terrorism" and "possessing publications for propaganda purposes harmful to national interests".

30 June 2025:RSF launches a petitioncalling for the release of Christophe Gleizes, which has amassed more than 25,000 signatures to date.

16 July 2025:Around one hundred public figuresendorse the call for his release.

24 July 2025: During the Tour de France, a giant bannercalling for Christophe Gleizes' release is unfurled, aiming to turn one of the most widely covered sports events of the year into a platform for press freedom.

August 2025: Multiple demonstrations took place at the Avignon Festival (an annual arts festival in France), Le Monde's International Journalism Festival in Couthures-sur-Garonne, and the Rock en Seine music festival.

29 August 2025: A first giant banner supporting Christophe Gleizes is displayed on the façade of Agen town hall, his birthplace.

29 September 2025: To mark the third month of his detention in Algeria and call for his release, 16 French journalism schoolsmobilised for Christophe Gleizes. RSF welcomed the initiative and reiterated its call for his release.

20 November 2025: Nine Ligue 1football clubs organised themselves for the release of Christophe Gleizes.

29 November 2025: Nearly 30 public figurescame together to call for the release of the French journalist imprisoned in Algeria.

3 December 2025:At his appeal hearing the Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeal upholds Christophe Gleizes' seven-year prison sentence.

10 December 2025: Request for presidential pardon submitted by Christophe's mother to the President of the Republic of Algeria.

11 December 2025:His French and Algerian lawyers file an appeal in cassation on his behalf.

Published on15.12.2025
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