France, Nov. 13 -- The court in the western city of Oran handed down the sentences on Tuesday against Daoud and his wife, psychiatrist Aicha Dahdouh, following a complaint filed by Saada Arbane, who claims the couple used details of her personal history without her consent.

Both were convicted in absentia of breaching professional confidentiality and invading privacy, according to Algerian newspaper El Khabar.

Daoud and Dahdouh, who both live in France, were also reportedly fined 300,000 Algerian dinars - approximately €2,000 - each.

Daoud, who won France's prestigious Prix Goncourt literary award for Houris in 2024, has consistently denied using confidential medical information in writing the novel.

Reacting to the verdict on s...