Ferhat Mehenni
Ferhat Mehenni (Kabyle: Ferḥat Mḥenni; Arabic: فرحات مهني; born March 5, 1951) is an Algerian separatist, political activist, singer, and founder and first President of the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia (MAK). He has been President of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (formerly known as the MAK Movement) since June 1, 2010.
Ferhat Mehenni | |
|---|---|
Photo taken at the gathering of September 4, 2011, on the Plaza of Human Rights in Paris | |
| President of the MAK | |
| Assumed office June 4, 2010 | |
| MAK Chairman | |
| In office August 24, 2001 – December 9, 2011 | |
| Succeeded by | Bouaziz Ait Chebib |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 5, 1951 Illoula Oumalou, Tizi Ouzou Province, French Algeria |
| Citizenship | Algerian |
| Political party | RCD (1989–1997) MAK (2001–present) |
| Alma mater | University of Algiers |
| Profession | Politician |
| Awards | NONE |
In 2012, Mehenni was subjected to controversy after visiting Israel, where he voiced his support and solidarity for Israel, comparing it to Kabylia. In 2021, Mehenni's organization, MAK, has been classified as a terrorist organisation in Algeria after claims from the Algerian authorities saying that MAK members were planning car bombs. Mehenni was arrested by the French authorities and placed in police custody in 2021 as part of an investigation into organised money laundering in relation to sports betting.