# Controversy over the novel Houris and conviction of Kamel Daoud in Algeria

> In October 2026, Kamel Daoud's wife declares herself innocent in the controversy surrounding the novel Houris. A few days later, Gallimard returns to the Algiers International Book Fair, from which it had been excluded two years after this controversy. On November 10, 2026, Kamel Daoud is sentenced in absentia to five years in prison in Algeria, following the complaint by Saâda Arbane regarding his novel.

**In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 3 events, followed from 25 October 2026 to 10 November 2026. 13 articles from 11 sources (society, justice); last updated on 10 November 2026 at 17:45.

- Status: ongoing
- Category: Society, Justice
- Place: Not located
- First detected: 25 October 2026 at 18:56
- Updated: 10 November 2026 at 17:45
- Web page: https://acturadar.com/en/stories/526-controversy-over-the-novel-houris-and-conviction-of-kamel-daoud-in-algeria

## Timeline (3 events)

### 25 October 2026 — [Controversy surrounding the novel Houris: Kamel Daoud's wife claims innocence](https://acturadar.com/en/events/458-controversy-surrounding-the-novel-houris-kamel-daoud-s-wife-claims-innocence.md)

Accused in the controversy surrounding Kamel Daoud's novel Houris, the writer's wife asserts her innocence.

3 sources, 3 articles · Not located

### 29 October 2026 — [Gallimard returns to Algiers book fair after Houris controversy](https://acturadar.com/en/events/4009-gallimard-returns-to-algiers-book-fair-after-houris-controversy.md)

French publisher Gallimard is returning to the Algiers International Book Fair, from which it had been excluded two years after the controversy surrounding Kamel Daoud's novel Houris.

6 sources, 6 articles · Alger

### 10 November 2026 — [Kamel Daoud sentenced in absentia to five years in prison in Algeria](https://acturadar.com/en/events/15445-kamel-daoud-sentenced-in-absentia-to-five-years-in-prison-in-algeria.md)

Franco-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison in Algeria, following a complaint by Saâda Arbane regarding his novel Houris.

4 sources, 4 articles · Oran

---

Cite as: Acturadar, “Controversy over the novel Houris and conviction of Kamel Daoud in Algeria”, https://acturadar.com/en/stories/526-controversy-over-the-novel-houris-and-conviction-of-kamel-daoud-in-algeria
Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology