EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: MDE 28/06/92

Distr: UA/SC

30 October 1992

Further information on UA 152/92 (MDE 28/03/92, 8 May 1992) - Death Penalty

ALGERIA:Noureddine Rahmoune

Ahmed Fodil

Sid Ahmed Lahrani

Amnesty International is gravely concerned at the confirmation by the Supreme Court of the death sentences passed on Noureddine Rahmoune and Ahmed Fodil.

Noureddine Rahmoune and Ahmed Fodil, both military personnel, were sentenced to death in May 1992 by the military court in Blida for participating in an attack on the Navy headquarters (Amirauté) in Algiers in February 1992. They were convicted of having collaborated with those who carried out the attack during which 10 people died. It appears that the case of the third accused, Sid Ahmed Lahrani, who was also sentenced to death at the same time but in absentia, has not yet been reviewed.

Under Algerian law, those convicted by the military court may apply to the Supreme Court for review by cassation. The review concerns only alleged misapplications of the law, not facts. Once the death sentences have been upheld by the Supreme Court, executions may not be carried out until a plea for clemency has been presented to the President and refused.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases as a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, as proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters in French or Arabic if possible:

- expressing your concern that the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences of Noureddine Rahmoune and Ahmed Fodil;

- urging President Ali Kefi to commute these death sentences when the clemency pleas are presented to him;

- urging that all death sentences be commuted and that steps be taken towards abolishing the death penalty in Algeria.

APPEALS TO:

1) President:

Président M. Ali KEFI

Président de la République

Présidence de la République

El-Mouradia

Alger, Algérie

Telegrams: President Kefi, Alger, Algerie

Telexes: 66044/66088

Salutation: Excéllence / Your Excellency

Page 2 of FU 152/92

2) High Council of State Member:

M. Ali HAROUN

Membre du Haut Comité d'Etat

Palais du Gouvernement

Alger

Algérie

Telegrams: M Ali Haroun, Haut Comite d'Etat, Alger, Algerie

Telexes: 66217/66221/66044/66088

Salutation: Excéllence / Your Excellency

3) Minister of the Interior:

M. Mohamed HARDI

Ministre de l'Interieur

Ministère de l'Interieur et des Collectivetés Locales

Alger

Algérie

Telegrams: Ministre de l'Interieur Hardi, Alger, Algerie

Telexes: 66341

Faxes: + 213 2 618802 or 213 2 645793

Salutation: Excéllence / Your Excellency

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: diplomatic representatives of Algeria accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 11 December 1992.