Algeria has ordered the expulsion of 12 French embassy officials in retaliation for the indictment of three Algerians in France connected to the abduction of an influential critic. France's government has condemned the move, emphasizing its readiness to respond to the situation.
Algeria's Diplomatic Tensions Escalate with Expulsion of French Officials
Algeria's Diplomatic Tensions Escalate with Expulsion of French Officials
Algeria orders departure of 12 French embassy staff amid escalating diplomatic tensions linked to recent arrests.
Algeria has requested that 12 staff members from the French embassy vacate the country within 48 hours, as confirmed by France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot. This expulsion order comes in the wake of the indictment of three Algerian individuals in France, including a consular official, who are accused of involvement in the 2024 abduction of Amir Boukhors—a prominent critic of the Algerian government and social media influencer.
Barrot urged the Algerian authorities to retract the expulsion order, indicating that France is prepared to take immediate action if these measures proceed. This incident marks a significant escalation in the already strained diplomatic relations between Algeria and France, a relationship that has suffered numerous setbacks over the years.
Amir Boukhors, also known as Amir DZ, relocated to France in 2016 after reportedly being granted asylum in the country in 2023. He was kidnapped in April 2024 but managed to escape the same day, a situation described by his lawyer as a result of a rivalry that endangers Boukhors's safety. Algerian officials have branded him as a "saboteur" with ties to terrorist organizations, having issued multiple international arrest warrants against him. Boukhors denies all allegations, and previous attempts to extradite him to Algeria have been denied by French courts.
The expulsion of French officials is now a further complication in the already delicate relationship between the two nations, which has seen incidents such as the detention of French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal in Algeria. Additionally, tensions were reignited last year when Algeria recalled its ambassador after France supported Morocco in a territorial dispute involving Western Sahara.
According to a diplomatic source, the French officials requested to leave are linked to the interior ministry. Barrot's plea emphasized the need for Algeria to reconsider its decision, and he reminded that any continuation of the expulsion order would necessitate a swift response from the French side. The Algerian foreign ministry has publicly protested the indictment and arrest of the consular official, alleging that it was conducted without following appropriate diplomatic protocols.
In recent months, Algeria and France had taken tentative steps towards improving their relations, including phone conversations between the nations' leaders. However, the current crisis illustrates the fragility of this diplomatic progress and raises concerns regarding the continuity of dialogue between the two countries.
