Algeria : Alleged Violence Against Autonomist Movement in Kabylia

PARIS, January 12 - Today, January 12th, the Kabyle Movement for independence
(KMI) claim that Algerian police have clashed with thousands of protestors
from their organisation in Tizi Ouzou and Vgayet.

The KMI believe that the Algerian army have used force against
this peaceful protest, arrested dozens and caused injuries among hundreds of
protesters.

The number of people who participated in this demonstration is
estimated to be15000 protestors according to organizers, and 7000 persons
according to Algerian police.

The leader of the Kabyle Movement for independence (KMI),
Ferhat Mehheni, has warned that the members of the KMI living in Algeria are
in need of international protection since they feel threatened and fear for
their lives.

Under the pressure of the Algerian authorities, Fehrat Mehenni
has been forced to live in Algeria and is now in exile in France.

In June 2004, his son Amezianne was killed in an unsolved
case.

In 2007, the region of Tizzi ouzzou was the theatre of riots
and the repression of the Algerian forces, known as the Martyrs of the Black
Spring, which lead to the death of hundreds of civil victims.

Ferhat Mehenni, Président MAK, Mouvement pour l'Autonomie de la Kabylie
Email : mehenniferhat at gmail.com; Mobile : +33.609249833; Internet : mak.makabylie.info/