A 23-year-old was arrested on Tuesday by plain-clothes police officers for "posting videos in which he called on the boycott of the coming legislative elections", according to a member of the Algerian league for human rights, local media reported.

"We are trying to get in touch with the parents to know exactly what are the charges against Tarek Mameri", the same source told local media.

The young man was "kidnapped" by plain-clothes men on Tuesday, explained a member of the Algerian league for human rights, before adding that his arrest was only confirmed on Wednesday after policemen went to his house and asked for his Identity papers.

Mameri posted videos on Youtube in which he called on the Algerian people to boycott the elections, which will take place on May 10. In the videos he also reportedly criticized politicians, the president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and two of his ministers

According to a spokesperson for the Algerian league for human rights, Tarek Mameri will appear in court on May 3.