LOC00:43
21:43 GMT
ALGIERS, Aug 18 (KUNA) -- An Algerian court ordered Sunday deportation of a Human Rights Watch official for trying to infiltrate into the months-long protest movement.
In a statement, the Sidi M'hamed Court in Algiers clarified that the decision was taken after police's apprehension of Ahmed Benchemsi, director of the Advocacy and Communications for Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa division, in a national protest in the capital on Friday.
It added that the police seized electronic equipment from Benchemsi, an American citizen, and released him later at the day after initial investigations.
Today, the court summoned the HRW official and charged him with attempting to implement foreign schemes and influence protesters.
The New York-based watchdog has no legal presence in the country. (end)
mr.ibi