Belaïd Abrika
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Belaïd Abrika (1969 - ) is a professor of History at the Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou. However, he has become one of the best-known modern Kabyles through his role as a leader and spokesperson of the Arouch (Comité des Âarouchs, Daïras et communes or CADC) protest movement in the region of Kabylie in Algeria.
He has been arrested several times because of his association with Arouch. In September 2003 he was arrested and beaten by police during a protest of recent government actions to suppress independent newspapers. On August 10, 2004, Abrika was arrested again by Tizi-Ouzou police during a protest at a hospital. He was imprisoned for 28 days.[1]
There have been ongoing protest and deaths in the Berber region of Kabylie since 2001, due in part to differing positions on the recognition of Tamazight (Berber) as a national and official language between the government of Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and grassroots Imazighen. This led in June 14, 2001 to a reported one million Imazighen marching in protest to Algiers.
Abrika's entry into dialogue with the government in 2004 has led to him being considered a traitor in some quarters.
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