The family of Christophe Gleizes, a jailed French sports journalist, is appealing to the sporting world, particularly soccer legend Zinédine Zidane, for help in securing his release from an Algerian prison. Gleizes, a 36-year-old freelance sportswriter, was sentenced to seven years behind bars for interviewing a soccer official accused of having ties to a banned separatist movement. Rights groups are condemning the case, stating that it effectively criminalizes routine reporting.

Gleizes was arrested and placed under judicial supervision over a year ago for entering Algeria without a proper visa, "glorifying terrorism," and "possessing propaganda publications harmful to the national interest," according to Reporters Without Borders. His conviction last week has prompted his family to increase their efforts to bring attention to his plight.

Speaking on French television, Gleizes' father-in-law, Francis Godard, specifically called on Zinédine Zidane to support the case. "It would be great if Zinédine Zidane were to get involved in this fight," Godard said. "After all, it's a fight for both freedom of the press and the world of football. Journalists are mobilized, as we know, but we would like the sporting world to be just as mobilized. Christophe is a sports journalist and is therefore interested in the business of sport. This concerns the world of sport very directly".

While prosecutors have not publicly announced the specific charges against Gleizes, and Algerian officials have remained silent on the case, it is understood that the charges stem from his contact with the head of a soccer club who was also a member of a political movement that Algeria has designated as a terrorist group. Reporters Without Borders has described the sentence as "unprecedented and absurd," highlighting the political nature of the case. They argue that Gleizes is being punished for simply doing his job as a journalist.

Zidane, a French icon with Algerian roots, is seen as a figure who could potentially influence the situation. His connection to both France and Algeria, coupled with his global recognition in the world of sports, makes him a powerful advocate.

The case of Christophe Gleizes has largely unfolded out of public view until recently. He was arrested in May 2024 while reporting on Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK), a prominent football club in Algeria's Kabyle region. The Kabyle region is known for its separatist tensions, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

The French Foreign Ministry has yet to comment on the case. An appeal is expected to be filed, and there are growing calls for broader mobilization to support Gleizes.

This situation echoes the case of Olivier Dubois, a French journalist who was held hostage in Mali for nearly two years. Dubois was kidnapped in April 2021 while attempting to interview a leader of an al-Qaeda-linked group. He was eventually released in March 2023 following a joint effort by Niger and France. Dubois's abduction and subsequent release highlight the dangers faced by journalists working in conflict zones and the importance of international efforts to protect them.