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

A court in Algeria on Tuesday upheld Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal's five-year prison sentence in a case that has raised alarm over freedom of expression in Algeria and pushed tensions with France to the brink.

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.