Algerian journalist and AL24 News commentator Mehdi Ghezzar was released Wednesday morning after being briefly detained by French police near his Paris residence. Ghezzar told AL24 News he was held for several hours, calling it another instance in what he describes as growing pressure on him in France.

Ghezzar was recently removed from the French radio programme Les Grandes Gueules on RMC, where he had been a well-known voice. His exclusion followed his outspoken commentary on the war in Gaza and his strong support for the Palestinian cause. He says he has also faced repeated stops at Paris airports, despite being publicly recognised for his commentary.

His brief arrest has sparked criticism from observers who see it as part of a broader pattern of pressure on journalists whose views challenge dominant media narratives. The incident has renewed debate about press freedom in France and concerns over the gap between official commitments and practices on the ground.