16 ALGERIAN ISLAMIC FIGHTERS SENTENCED TO DEATH IN ABSENTIA

an Algerian court handed down death sentences in absentia to 16 alleged Islamic fighters on terrorism-related charges. Judicial officials say the militants are believed to be at large or among unidentified dead from clashes between rebels and security forces in Algeria. The officials said the convictions bring to 188 the number of death sentences handed down in absentia this year by the court in Boumerdes.