The conviction of Boualem Sansal, an outspoken French and Algerian writer, has worsened tensions between the countries.

Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal is facing five years in prison in Algeria after he lost an appeal against his conviction for “undermining national unity.”

PARIS — An Algerian appeals court has upheld a five-year prison sentence against French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, according to his supporters. Sansal, a vocal critic of the Algerian regime, has been behind bars since being arrested as he stepped off a plane in Algiers in November. He was convicted in March for undermining national unity.