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

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

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.