An outspoken French-Algerian novelist returned to his homeland and was promptly taken into custody at age 75. The arrest of an outspoken writer who flew back to his Algerian homeland and was quietly taken into custody upon arrival has set off alarm in literary and political circles worldwide and threatens to trigger a diplomatic incident.

French author Boualem Sansal upon his arrival at Algiers International Airport from Paris. At 75 years old, Sansal was detained by the Algerian General Directorate of Internal Security and is expected to face a prosecutor soon.

The ongoing detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria has ignited international concern amid demands for his immediate release as fears for his safety deepen. French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal – arrested in Algeria over a week ago – remains uncharged and has not been questioned by a prosecutor,