Algeria artists seek protection after Islamist's death call

Algiers (AFP) - Dozens of Algerian artists urged authorities to protect them against "terror" in a statement posted online Monday, after an Islamist called for a top author to be condemned to death.

In a joint statement addressed to the culture, religious affairs and communications ministers, around 50 singers, actors, authors and producers said "terror must be brought to a definitive end in Algeria".

"Algerians must be protected," they said in the appeal.

"We await a real and clear answer, coherent action to halt the danger threatening artists and the country," they added in the statement posted on social networks.

The appeal comes almost a week after Salafist activist Abdelfatah Hamadache Ziraoui called on Facebook for authorities to impose the death penalty on author Kamel Daoud and to execute him in public.

Ziraoui, who campaigns for bans on alcohol and bathing costumes on the beach, accused the author of apostasy for "waging war on Allah, his prophet, the Koran and the values sacred to Islam".

The case has stirred outrage on social media.

One of those who signed the latest appeal is popular singer Salima Abada, whose father Mustapha was a former director of state television assassinated in 1993 by Islamists.

"History cannot repeat itself," the statement said of Algeria's Islamist insurgency of the 1990s when dozens of intellectuals were murdered.