Boualem Sansal, the French-Algerian writer, remains imprisoned in Algeria after being sentenced to five years in prison. Despite hopes for a presidential pardon, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune did not grant Sansal clemency during the presidential pardon announced on July 5, 2025. Following his conviction on charges related to comments about Algeria's historical borders, Sansal has decided not to appeal his sentence to the Supreme Court. The case has intensified diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria, with French officials and commentators criticizing the Algerian government's handling of Sansal's detention and calling for diplomatic efforts to secure his release. The situation has drawn significant media attention and public debate, highlighting broader issues in Franco-Algerian relations.