Boualem Sansal, the 80-year-old Franco-Algerian author, is facing serious health issues after recent biopsies showed poor results. Hospitalized in Algiers, he was later moved back to a prison medical unit at his request. His lawyer, François Zimeray, has called for the Algerian authorities to show humanity regarding his client’s situation. Sansal has been incarcerated since mid-November for allegedly undermining state security, and his recent transfer to prison without prior notice raised concerns. A court in Algiers denied his request for provisional release.