Ahead of Algeria’s July 2026 legislative elections, local reporting from Kabylie says candidates in Tizi Ouzou are drawing criticism for avoiding one of the region’s most sensitive human-rights cases: the detainees of Larbaa Nath Irathen.
Tamurt reported that around 400 candidates are competing for 11 parliamentary seats in the Tizi Ouzou department, across 22 lists. The outlet said candidates from both party and independent lists have largely avoided speaking publicly about the detainees, despite the case’s strong resonance in Kabylie.
The Larbaa Nath Irathen case is tied to the aftermath of the 2021 forest-fire period and the killing of Djamel Bensmail, a volunteer who had travelled to help during the fires. The case became a political and human-rights flashpoint, with families and activists raising concerns about arrests, prosecutions and the fairness of proceedings.
According to Tamurt, an appeal trial for detainees from Larbaa Nath Irathen is expected at the beginning of next year. The outlet also reported that none of the main candidates or lists has placed the issue at the center of the campaign, even though future deputies could call for transparent proceedings and a fair trial.
The silence described by the report reflects a broader tension in Kabylie politics. Electoral campaigns often unfold under pressure from national institutions, while local civil society continues to focus on detainees, identity rights and political repression. For Amazigh and Kabyle rights advocates, the question is not only who wins parliamentary seats, but whether elected representatives are willing to defend politically sensitive cases once in office.