Ahmed Ben Bella, former president of Algeria, is released after fourteen years in prison

Former president of Algeria, Ahmed Ben Bella, was instrumental in Algeria’s fight for independence from France. He became the country’s premier in 1962 and was elected president in 1963.  Bella‘s popularity began to decline after his presidency, following his eccentric and arrogant behavior coupled with his increasingly autocratic rule. Bella’s government was overthrown by Houari Boumedienne, his close friend in 1965. He was placed under arrest for the next 14 years. He was released on 4 July 1979 and placed under house arrest until 1980. Bella died on 11 April 2012.