On November 20, 2024, allegations surfaced against Kamel Daoud, the recent recipient of the Goncourt Prize, accusing him of misusing confidential information from therapy sessions of Saâda Arbane, a survivor of a massacre during the Algerian civil war.

Supporters of Daoud argue that the allegations are politically motivated attacks against him, especially given his criticism of the Algerian regime and the polarized reception of his work.

In response to the controversy, Daoud and his publisher, Gallimard, have faced bans in Algeria, and they were barred from participating in the International Book Fair in Algiers.

Arbane alleges that specific details from her life, including her speaking tube and scars, were incorporated into the character Fajr in 'Houris' without her consent.

This controversy unfolds amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France, exacerbated by President Macron's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

While 'Houris' draws inspiration from tragic events in Algeria, Gallimard emphasized that the story and characters are fictional, despite Arbane's claims of personal connections.

Arbane publicly claimed that many elements of her life, including her medical devices and personal scars, are depicted in Daoud's novel 'Houris,' which she argues violates her privacy.

The legal complaints against Daoud and his wife cite violations of medical confidentiality, defamation of terrorism victims, and breaches of Algeria's national reconciliation law, which restricts publications about the civil war.

Daoud, who relocated to Paris in 2020 and became a French citizen, is viewed as controversial in Algeria, accused by some of betraying his homeland.

The allegations gained traction following an interview with Arbane that aired on One TV, leading to the filing of two lawsuits in August 2024.

Daoud has not publicly responded to the accusations, but his publisher condemned the allegations as part of a defamation campaign against him.

Daoud's previous popularity has declined due to his opposition to the Hirak protest movement and controversial articles in French publications, contributing to the mixed reception of 'Houris.'