Algeria: The Haik Trick

In his special cell at Algiers' Maison Carrée, Berber Chieftain Hocine Aït Ahmed, 38, jailed since October 1964 for his campaign to overthrow ex-President Ahmed ben Bella, received special treatment. He got better rations than other prisoners, family and friends were allowed to drop in and chat, Wife Djainila could stay overnight, and negotiators from Strongman Colonel Houari Boumedienne stopped by to ask if Aït Ahmed wouldn't agree to support the new regime. All to no avail. One night last week, when Djamila, other relatives, and neighbors trooped homeward, the group also included an extra, heavily cloaked figure...

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