Algeria says arrested activist died of 'natural causes'

Algeria on Tuesday blamed "natural causes" for the death of a pro-democracy activist in detention last month, which sparked a wave of anger and prompted a lawsuit for manslaughter.

Hakim Debbazi, 55, was arrested in February after publishing Facebook posts in support of Hirak, a pro-democracy movement. He died on April 24, according to the Algerian rights group LADDH.

Earlier this month, his family said they were suing the state for manslaughter and "failing to help a person in danger", and were seeking a billion euros in compensation.

On Tuesday, Justice Minister Abderrachid Tabi told parliament that Debbazi had been transferred to hospital on April 17 "after falling ill" at the Kolea prison near the capital Algiers.

"He died at the hospital three days later," Tabi said, local media reported. "The autopsy found that he had died of natural causes".

Amnesty International has called on authorities to allow an independent investigation into his death.

His death comes after activists Mohamed Tamalt and Kamel Eddine Fekhar both died in detention in 2016 and 2019 respectively.

The CNLD prisoners' support group says more than 260 people are behind bars in Algeria in relation to the Hirak protest movement or rights campaigning.