Larbi Ben M'hidi - Capture

Capture

The details regarding Larbi Ben M'hidi's arrest are quite controversial, as there are several versions which contradict those of the French. According to French sources, parachutists burst into an apartment on Rue Claude Debussy, in the European quarter, and arrested Larbi Ben M'hidi in his pajamas. Apparently they thought they were on the trail of Ben Khedda, who was another leader of the Coordinating and Executing Committee (C.C.E). Larbi Ben M'hidi was captured by Bigeard and his men on the 23 February 1957. The other members of the committee had fled to the mountains or abroad (primarily Tunis).

The photograph of his arrest was published the following day in all the newspapers in Algiers. The photograph had shown Larbi Ben M'hidi with his hands chained, but a man with a smile on his face, which was extraordinary considering his predicament, but one of inner certitude. He was interrogated by Bigeard for ten days. During the interrogation, Larbi Ben M'hidi constantly stood up to his interrogators, due to the extensive pressure of the interrogation, insisting that Algeria would be victorious in the battle and that the Algerian people would be liberated. Bigeard was impressed with Larbi Ben M'hidi's defiance and dignity, even though defeated, he proved that he was in no way of form broken, mentally, physically or spiritually.

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