Release of young Khoualed Islam: Algeria pleased with his return home

Algeria is pleased with the return Wednesday to the country of Algerian young athlete, Khoualed Islam, released last Friday after 11 months of detention in Agadir (South of Morocco), spokesman of Foreign Ministry, Amar Belani told APS."We are pleased with the return to Algeria, on Wednesday, of our young compatriot, Khoualed Islam. On that occasion, we are keen to hail the remarkable endurance he showed during the painful ordeal he experienced in this neighbor country," FM Spokesman said. "I recall that the Algerian government had expressed its deep concern following the heavy verdict rendered on March 19, 2013 by the Court of Agadir, while the facts of the case and especially the lack of characterization of the charges against our young compatriot had argued for his acquittal," he added.Belani also reminded that "huge efforts have been made for a successful resolution to this painful affair, but the disproportionate sentence, which was confirmed on May 6, 2013 by the Criminal Chamber of the Appeal Court in Agadir, aimed at keeping young Islam in a center where he has served four fifths of a unjustly inflicted sentence, and it naturally brings many observers to question the fairness of the trial."Khoualed Islam, 15, obtained on Monday an exit permit issued by the foreigners’ office of the Agadir Police, intended to the port authorities to allowing him to leave Morocco.Detained since February 11, 2013, the young rower was handed over on Friday to his father (Azzedine) in the presence of the family lawyer, Khaled Sellam.Islam Khoualed was sentenced on March 19, 2013 by the court of Agadir to one year in prison and 40,000 dirhams in fine for “indecent act against a minor."