A defamation case against Louiza Hanoun, Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, was permanently closed on Thursday, July 9, after the victim, Minister of National Education Mohamed Small Saadaoui, withdrew his complaint. The judge of misdemeanors at the Sidi M'hamed Court subsequently issued a ruling of non-prosecution for Hanoun, who had appeared before the court in Algiers that day. Hanoun had accused the minister of instructing officials to support two specific candidates, stating that "The Minister of Education, during a meeting with officials from 38 unions, including candidates, gave instructions to support two candidates, considering that this represents a violation of the law, a serious deviation, and an infringement of freedom of choice." She further asserted that "the education sector and its unions are not a political party, and the minister is not the head of a political party to direct union bases to vote for a candidate or a list."
Background of Accusations
The case originated at the beginning of June when Louiza Hanoun, Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, accused the Minister of Education of supporting two candidates for the legislative elections. Hanoun characterized this alleged action as a violation of the law. She further emphasized that the education sector and its unions do not constitute a political party, and therefore, the minister is not in a position to act as a party leader directing union members to vote for a specific candidate or list. Her statements noted concerns about the neutrality of the education ministry in electoral processes.
Court Proceedings and Ruling
During the court session, Minister of National Education Mohamed Small Saadaoui's defense team formally withdrew the lawsuit he had filed against Louiza Hanoun. This withdrawal occurred as Hanoun, Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, faced charges related to defamation and insult against a public body. Previously, the Public Prosecutor at the Sidi M'hamed Misdemeanor Court had called for the application of the law against Hanoun based on the minister's complaint. The case stemmed from Hanoun's accusations that the Minister of Education had directed officials to support specific candidates, which she described as "a violation of the law, a serious deviation, and an infringement of freedom of choice." Hanoun also asserted that "the education sector and its unions are not a political party, and the minister is not the head of a political party to direct union bases to vote for a candidate or a list."
Hanoun's Defense and Context
Louiza Hanoun stated that Minister of National Education Mohamed Small Saadaoui had given instructions to support two candidates during a meeting with officials from 38 unions, which included candidates. Hanoun asserted that the minister's actions constituted a violation of the law, a serious deviation, and an infringement of freedom of choice. She also maintained that the education sector and its unions are not a political party, and the minister is not the head of a political party to direct union bases to vote for a candidate or a list. Hanoun denied the accusations against her, stating that she was subjected to a campaign and responded within the political framework.
Financial Claim and Case Closure
The Public Treasury had sought compensation for damages in the amount of 500,000 Algerian Dinars in connection with the defamation case. This financial claim was part of the legal proceedings initiated against Louiza Hanoun. With the withdrawal of the complaint by Minister of National Education Mohamed Small Saadaoui, the court's ruling of non-prosecution effectively closed the entire case. The resolution means that both the criminal proceedings and any associated financial demands, such as that from the Public Treasury, were brought to an end following the minister's decision to drop his lawsuit.
