Algerian faces 5 years in prison for sharing Christian faith

Lawyer says no proof, accusers produce no evidence at appeal hearing

Accusers who say an Algerian Christian insulted Islam provided no evidence to a judge hearing the Christian’s appeal of his original sentence.

Karim Siaghi, a convert to Christianity, was sentenced in May 2011 to five years in prison and fined 200,000 Algerian Dinars, or about U.S. $2,500, even though prosecutors had brought no evidence or witnesses before the court.

More than a year later, in mid-November, Siaghi’s appeal hearing was held in the coastal city of Oran, in the northwest of Algeria. It was the first time he had faced his accuser in court. Read more