Early Life and Education
Belkacem El Ouazeri was born on 5 February 1937 in Zemoura, Sidi El Fodil Bouarfa district, Blida, to El Arbi and Yamna Hatouch. He grew up in a modest family and completed primary school, earning the French primary certificate. He then worked as a day laborer to support his family.
Activism and Revolutionary Work
In 1955, he joined the civilian network of the National Liberation Army. Belkacem participated in numerous operations as a fedayee in the Blida region. He also helped manufacture and transport bombs in Mitidja.
Arrest and Execution
He was arrested in November 1955 after an operation in which a French policeman was killed in Blassa El Arab. The authorities transferred him from Blida prison to Serkadji prison in Algiers, where they tortured and interrogated him. Following a show trial, he was sentenced to death. Belkacem was executed by guillotine on 12 August 1956, at 18 or 19 years old, becoming the youngest martyr executed during the Revolution.
Legacy
His execution sparked outrage in Algeria and France, leading to a halt in further executions. After independence, Blida named its longest main street, a middle school, a secondary school, and an air force base in his honor.
رحمه الله