Images of Walid Kechida free circulated on social media Sunday evening. Some showed him carried by a group of people as he left prison in Sétif, in northwestern Algeria.

The 25-year-old young activist saw his sentence reduced Sunday during his appeal trial: one year in prison, including six months in custody and a fine of 30,000 dinars, the equivalent of 180 euros. The prosecution had requested three years in custody, the sentence handed down in first instance. He was therefore able to leave prison, since he had already spent nine months in detention.

Walid Kechida is a supporter of the Hirak, the protest movement born in February 2019. He was prosecuted for insulting the president, for violating the precepts of Islam and for contempt of constituted bodies for having published humorous memes on social media.

His defense and his supporters denounced an empty case, unfounded prosecutions and therefore requested his acquittal.

According to figures from the CNLD, approximately 80 people are currently detained in connection with the Hirak or individual freedoms in Algeria.